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McNee, Marjorie Ruth
Marjorie Ruth McNee, 82, of Cedar Rapids, peacefully passed away Jan. 3, 2014. Marj's wishes were to donate her body to the University of Iowa for medical research. A memorial service to celebrate Marj's life will be held at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids at 2 p.m. March 21.
Marjorie was born June 1, 1931, and was raised and educated in the Dutch community of Pella, Iowa. She was the youngest of three daughters of Jennie and Andrew Van Zante. She married Lowell Ryan on Jan. 23, 1948, and they raised five children. They were later divorced. On July 31, 1982, Marj married Robert McNee.
Marjorie was a loving and caring women who was devoted to her immediate and extended family and church. Her creativity and style was evident in her decorating, crafting and flower arranging. Marj was an excellent seamstress, making and tailoring clothing for herself and her family. Marj loved the arts, especially classical music, and regularly attended concerts and theatrical productions. She also enjoyed traveling and reading.
Marj cherished the friendships she established in the numerous organizations in which she was involved.
Marj was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; her sister, Lenora Boertje; and stepdaughter, Connie Emerson Swartzendruber.
Survivors include son, Rick Ryan (Sarah) of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter, Connie Volden (Duane) of Cedar Rapids; son, Jim Ryan (Paula) of Shirley, Ark.; daughter, Terry Garvin (Dave) of Philomath, Ore.; daughter, Julie Woods (Joe) of Minneapolis; one stepson, Gary McNee (Carolyn) of Littleton, Colo.; one stepson-in-law, Don Swartzendruber of Iowa City; two stepdaughters, Loralea Francis of Wichita, Kan., and Kara Brockschink (John) of Janesville; a sister, Betty Mitchell of Pella; and her loving companion, James Smittkamp of Cedar Rapids. Marj is also survived by several grandchildren, stepgrandchildren and great- and stepgreat-grandchildren.
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Published Jan. 5, 2014 in The Gazette
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