FIELD, Marjory 1921-2010
FIELD, OBERNDORFER, BURKE, STUART
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/8/2010 at 14:06:22
[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, January 20, 2010]
Marjory Oberndorfer Field passed away Jan. 1, 2010, in Austin, Texas.
She was born July 12, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wis. Marj spent most of her life in Waterloo, Iowa, with her husband, Burton M. ("Bud") Field.
Marj was active in her community and committed to using her time and talents in ways that benefited others. She held volunteer executive positions with the Community Chest, United Services, Visiting Nurses Association, Schoitz Auxiliary and the Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts. She was appointed by the governor to the Iowa Council for Hospitals and Related Health Facilities. She appeared in the 1964-1965 edition of "Who's Who of American Women."
Bud and Marj had their first date on Dec. 7, 1941. As the news of the Pearl Harbor attack reached the couple, and Bud realized military service was imminent, he asked Marj to wait for him. True to her bold character, Marj agreed. They were married Aug. 12, 1942.
After World War II, while her husband was building a successful men's clothing business with stores in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Iowa and Illinois, Marj raised their two children, Hugh and Claire. Marj found great joy in being a mother. She showered her children with love and shared her sense of humor and fun with her kids. When Hugh and Claire were children, she would serve an April Fool's breakfast, with a piece of cloth embedded in the pancake.
Marj was an adventurous woman. She was an avid traveler and took many trips around the country and world. Marj shared this love of travel and curiosity about the world with her children.
Marj was a lifelong card and game player. She was a Life Master at duplicate bridge. When she moved to Austin in 1999, she made and cherished new friendships, frequently initiated during a bridge game. She hosted countless card games with her grandkids. She played golf and was an active volunteer in Waterloo's LPGA Golf Tournament.
Indeed it often seemed she had found her true calling as a grandmother. When her first grandson Buddy was born, she changed her name to Pookie, and this is how she was known to her seven grandchildren, who were blessed with her youthful spirit, joy and unconditional love. Pookie took the time to get to know each of her grandchildren individually, whether it was by playing cards late into the night or going on road trips filled with laughter and song. Life was only made better by great-grandchildren.
Marjory Oberndorfer Field leaves wonderful memories, joy and laughter for her son Hugh and his wife Jane of Waterloo, Iowa; and their children Bud (Kristine), David (Andrea), Matthew and Elizabeth (Michael) Burke; and great-grandchildren Sophie and Sadie, step great-grandchildren Ally and Alyssa and step great-great-grandson Jayce; and also, her daughter Claire Stuart and her husband Carl, and their children Drew, Laura (Paul) Freeman and Lindsey. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Clara (Docter) Oberndorfer; and her husband Burton Field.
In 1981, Marj discovered that one of her natural siblings, Sam Stephans, had been searching for her for many years. She found out at that time that she had five natural siblings, Sam, Joe, Sol, Mary and Anne. All are deceased except for Ann, who resides in Florida.
A Mass will be held in Waterloo, Iowa, on Jan. 23, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church, and friends are invited to a Memorial Luncheon at Sunnyside Country Club at noon.
Friends and loved ones are invited to make contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or Covenant Foundation in Pookie's memory.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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