Marguerite Koehler

MARGUERITE KOEHLER

Cedar Rapids

Marguerite Rebecca Wennermark Koehler died Wednesday, April 23, 2014, after a long illness. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, April 26, at 1 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with interment to follow. Visitation will be before the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mom was born Aug. 15, 1926, and spent her young childhood in Ryan, Iowa. In the early 1940s, her family moved to Cedar Rapids, where she graduated from McKinley High School in 1944.

She was the daughter of Herman Wennermark and Alyce Rainbird Wenner-

mark. Her twin sisters, Maureen Wallace and Maxine Herren, died in 2001 and 2009, respectively. Her half brother, Forrest "Sonny" Wennermark, lives in Cedar Rapids.

Our father, Arthur Edward Koehler, died Feb. 15, 2013, and after 66 years of marriage, Mom felt his absence acutely.

Like most of her generation, Mom's childhood during the Depression was not easy. Her mother was frequently ill and her father was absent, but her sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins were close-knit and very supportive.

While still in high school she got a job at Northwestern Bell and was proud she was able to buy her own clothes and class ring. After high school she loved to have fun at Danceland in Cedar Rapids.

Mom and Dad met before his departure to World War II, but there was no special commitment between them. According to family legend, Dad felt a little more devotion before leaving for Europe than Mom did. He carried her picture with him through the war.

Our parents were reacquainted upon Dad's return from the war in 1946 and were married on Aug. 17, 1947. She stopped working after she was married as most women of her generation did and concentrated on taking care of her children, Cheryl, Randy and Linda.

When we reached school age, Mom began working part-time at Killian's department store. She was outgoing and friendly and enjoyed meeting people. After retiring in 1983, she was a longtime volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital.

When Dad retired from the Cedar Rapids school system, they traveled and enjoyed time together.

An independent, practical and very capable woman, Mom always preferred going places and doing things rather than sitting and watching.

Mom and Dad's wonderful planning made it possible for them to stay in their own home through their long retirements, illnesses and deaths. They were truly impressive people and parents.

She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

We love you and will always miss you Mom.

Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association with the hope that someday soon there will be effective help against it.

Online condolences may be directed to www.cedar memorial.com.