Stadtmueller, Margaret

Margaret Stadtmueller, 101, of Monticello, died Monday evening, Jan. 4, 2010, at Jones Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 11:00 Friday morning, Jan. 8, at Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, rural Monticello, with interment in Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Paul Finger will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 3 until 7 p.m. today at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Surviving are a daughter, Jane (the Rev. Ludy) Lechner, Guttenberg; four grandchildren, Linda (Ken) Dettbarn, David Lechner, Eric (Deb) Kumpf and Becky (Rick) Rosenhagen; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Carl Mardorf and Alva Stadtmueller; her son, Dale Mardorf; a stepdaughter, Rose Kumpf; three sisters, Katie Tobiason, Anna Moenk and Lena Mardorf; and seven brothers, Peter, Herman, John, Tobe, Henry, Fred and Carl Caspers.

Margaret Marie Caspers was born March 16, 1908, in Castle Grove Township, Jones County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Andrew Frederick Martin and Henrietta Husmann Caspers. She received her education in the rural schools near her home.

Margaret married Carl J. Mardorf on Jan. 16, 1929, at Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church. The couple farmed in Lovell Township for several years before purchasing a farm in Fairview Township near Martelle in 1937. Carl was killed in a tornado on the farm on April 17, 1941. Margaret continued to operate the farm after his death.

Margaret married Alva Stadtmueller on Jan. 26, 1944, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. The couple farmed in Castle Grove Township. Alva preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 1967. Margaret continued farming until she moved to Monticello in 1972.

Margaret was a lifelong member of Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, serving on many committees and as president of the Circles. She was also active in 4-H, working with the Castle Grove Fortune Finders, the County Committee and Jones County Farm Bureau Women. She was also active in the American Heart Association.