Traver, Mary Marjorie 1926-2012

TRAVER, SMITH, AVERY, SMOLOCZYK, BARNETT, FORGACH, BANDY, NOONAN, KELLY, CLARK, KESSLER, CHRISTOPHERSON

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 4/19/2012 at 16:36:02

Mrs. Marge Traver, 86, of Calamus, Iowa, died early Wednesday morning, April 4, 2012 at Wheatland Manor in Wheatland, Iowa.
Mrs. Traver was born Mary Marjorie Smith on March 9, 1926 in Tulare, South Dakota. She was the seventh of eight children born to Joseph Walter and Serena Elizabeth (Avery) Smith. On October 10, 1942, Marge was united in marriage to Arthur Allen Traver in Huron, South Dakota. Following Art's discharge from the United States Army, the couple moved to Calamus, Iowa, where Marge has resided since, raising their family. She was employed as a nurse’s aid at various area nursing homes until retirement. Art preceded Marge in death on April 2, 1993.

Marge was a member for over 50 years of the American Legion Auxiliary and was a longtime member of the National Civilian Conservation Corp Alumni. Her hobbies included tole painting, cake decorating, coin, stamp and doll collecting and her 1960 Chevrolet Bel air. Family time was important to Marge, especially being a grandma. In later years, Marge was an Arizona snowbird and cherished the trips she was able to take to Hawaii and the Holy Land.

Surviving are her children, Mary Ann (Bernie) Smoloczyk of Westcliffe, Colorado; Larry Traver of Wheatland, Susan (Dale) Barnett of Rock Island, Illinois and Marty (Michele) Traver of Wheatland; grandchildren, Kathy (David) Forgach, Bridget (Todd) Bandy, Jeff (Tami) Noonan, Jennifer Kelly, Ben (Stacy) Traver, Michael Clark, and Alex, Olivia and Nathan Traver; great-grandchildren, Drew, Emily and Erin Novak, Nick, Allie and Libbie Bandy, Garrett and Catie Noonan, Connor and Megan Kelly, KayLynn and KaCee Kessler and Lily Traver; a sister, Josie Christopherson of Woolsi, South Dakota; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Art, Marge was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Leigh and James Smith and sisters, Sarah Burgger, Vera Miller, Verda Tomsha and Mildred Tschetter.

Family and friends may visit at Schultz Funeral Home, Grand Mound, Iowa, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012 in Wesley United Methodist Church of Calamus. Pastor Toni Brewster will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Calamus. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be designated to Beacon of Hope Hospice.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com