Ahrendsen, Marjorie

Marjorie Ahrendsen, 87, of Olin, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications of surgery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lahey Funeral Home, Olin. Services are Wednesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Olin Cemetery.

Marjorie was born near Olin on June 26, 1926, to Carl Schellin and Esther Knight Schellin. She attended Olin Consolidated Schools, meeting the “love of her life,” Norman, when he joined the class in 7th grade from country school; they were married Dec. 27, 1943.

They farmed east of Olin most of their lives, raising a daughter, Sheryl Knodle, and two sons, Dennis and James. Farming and family were her joy. Every spring she looked forward to the new spring calves, making trips to the field to check on them with her husband. Watching the Atlanta Braves baseball team on TV was another favorite which she avidly followed. In earlier years she liked to dance and work on jig saw puzzles. She loved to cook, and mow and care for her yard. She was also a Gold Star Mother and member of the Olin Community United Methodist Church in Olin.

Surviving are her husband of 69 years, Norman, Anamosa Care Center; a daughter, Sheryl (John) Knodle of Marion; a son, James (Dawn) Ahrendsen of Anamosa; as well as six grandchildren, Tim, Todd, Tracy, Terry Wood, Kyle Ahrendsen and London Sadler; six great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Lowell and Gayle; three sisters-in-law, Jeanne, Wanda and Pauline; a special friend, Angie Harms of Olin; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Dennis in 1968, serving his country in Vietnam; parents; and parents-in-law to whom she was particularly close; five siblings; and several nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be directed to the Blayney Miner Ahrendsen American Legion Post 412, of Olin.

Lahey Funeral Home in Olin is in charge of arrangements and caring for the family.

Published July 8, 2013 in The Gazette