Marjorie Clem

MARJORIE CLEM

Iowa City

Marjorie Ann Clem, 94, of Iowa City, died at her Legacy Gardens home on March 3, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Iowa City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Private burial will be in Peru City Cemetery, Peru, Ill., at a later date.

Marjorie was born Jan. 6, 1923, in Peru, Ill., to Charles Hugo and Lucy Katherine (Kratz) Waldorf. She graduated from LaSalle Peru High School. After two years at LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby (LPO) Junior College, she transferred to the University of Iowa and graduated with a B.A. degree in art in 1945. She worked at Hallmark in Kansas City before returning to Iowa City. She married Robert G. Clem on March 29, 1948. They were divorced in 1965.

Marjorie was employed in the opthalmology department at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Clem's Market and Kent Photography Studios before joining the audio-visual library staff at West High School in 1970, remaining there until her retirement in 1986.

Marjorie was a member of Sigma chapter of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and served on the sorority's Building Corporation board for several years. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City and enjoyed the needleworkers group at St. Pat's. She also volunteered with Church Women United and the Senior Center Gift Shop.

Marjorie is survived by her daughter-in-law, Kathy Clem of Nevada, Mo.; her stepgranddaughters, Jennifer (Mark) Copeland of Bainbridge, Ohio, and Casey (Eric) Danielson of Iola, Wis.; her stepgreat-grandchildren, Emmett Ross and Clara Elaine Danielson; her nephew, David (Peggy) Waldorf of Peru, Ill., and great-nieces, Emily and Genny Waldorf; and her nephew, James (Anne) Waldorf of Bloomington, Ill., great-nephews, Peter and Joey Waldorf, and great-niece, Elizabeth (Andrew) Coe.

She also is survived by her dear friend of nearly 50 years, Kirby Tenhulzen. Kirby cared for and about her first as a big brother to her son, Kevin, and later as a fellow artist, assistant, confidant and chauffeur. Kirby made certain her days were filled with laughter and life.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Robert G. Clem; her son, Kevin Richard Clem; her brother, Richard Waldorf and his wife, Minnie Piraino Waldorf; her niece, Susie Waldorf Rosoff; and her great-nephew, David Charles Rosoff.

Many thanks to the staff and fellow residents at Legacy Retirement Community for their care and friendship and to Iowa City Hospice for their compassionate care of Marge in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church of Iowa City, Iowa City Hospice or DVIP of Iowa.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.