McCalmant, Marjorie

Marjorie McCalmant, 77, of Marion, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Celebration of Life: 1 p.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Howard Chapman. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, John; children, Judy A. (Bill) Kietzman of Park View, Janet A. (Ed) Hurst of Tellico Plains, Tenn., Joan A. (Gary Kaplan) McCalmant and Jayne A. (Ron) Lane, both of Cedar Rapids, and Jerry A. (Lu Crary) McCalmant of Marion; a sister, Jean French of Monticello; brothers, Walter Nelson of Springville and Wayne Nelson of Alma, Ga.; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Charlotte Dose; and an infant son, Jay.

Marge was born Aug. 23, 1933, in Springville, to Frederick and Katherine Nelson. She graduated in 1950 from Springville High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She married John McCalmant in Springville on Aug. 24, 1952. Marge was employed by Colonial Bakery for several years. For most of her life she provided child care in her home, touching the lives of many. Marge liked to do crossword and jigsaw puzzles and read to the children she cared for. She was known for her baking, especially her pastries, pies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls. Marge was an avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan.

She will be remembered as an inspirational wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. When Marge lost her ability to speak, she stayed connected to family and friends by texting and emailing, something at which she became very proficient. She always put her family before herself and never lost her sense of humor.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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