Severson, Marjorie Frances (Stortz) 1925 - 2019

SEVERSON, STORTZ, THOMPSON, TESLOW, BLAIR, BLYTHE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Marjorie Frances Severson, age 94 of Decorah, IA, passed away Friday morning, December 20, 2019 at Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, IA.

The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 30, 2019 at Decorah Lutheran Church. The service will be officiated by Reverend Allen Vik and Reverend James Glesne. A burial service for Marjorie will take place in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah in the spring.

Marjorie was born in Decorah, IA on June 10, 1925 to Carl and Luella (Thompson) Stortz. She was the second of three children. Her siblings were Virgil Stortz and Lorraine (Stortz) Teslow. Reverend Fred Fischer baptized her at Canoe Methodist Church.

As a child, she enjoyed spending time on the farm and attending school. In fact, she had eight years of perfect attendance and especially enjoyed math and science. At the age of 14, she started to work various jobs, which included taking care of children and cooking meals for the family she was caring for. Though she did not finish high school, she continued to enjoy learning and in June of 1973 received her G.E.D.

On June 27, 1945, she married Everett Stanley Severson of Decorah, IA after he returned from his tour of service during World War II. In 1946, she and Everett embarked on a new venture of starting their own farm and bought it outright in 1962. On the farm, Marjorie helped Everett with side work, planting corn, bailing hay and taking care of their two children, Jean and Gerald. She took responsibility for raising chickens and selling eggs. Her “egg money” was often used to buy extras for the family or new coats for the winter. They owned, worked and raised their family on the farm for their formative years until retiring in 1988.

Her husband Everett fell ill with prostate cancer in July 1989. Marjorie spent her time taking care of him until he passed away later that year. He was the love of her life. In her time without him, Marjorie spent countless hours at Decorah Lutheran Church, helping make quilts, putting together the church programs, being a part of the alter guild, raising donations at supper events during the Nordic Fest celebration. She especially enjoyed her time as Treasurer of the Decorah Lutheran Church Women. She was also especially proud of polishing the brass in the church pulpit. During Sunday service, she would often comment on how the brass shined. She took her church work seriously and took pride in offering whatever help she could. Her time at the church enabled her to build long lasting friendships and support her community.

In her time outside of church, she chaired many circle events and monthly meetings, enjoyed crocheting, card club and especially spending time with her family. Marjorie was always organized and very self-sufficient. Well into her eighties, she made numerous trips by herself from Iowa to Texas to visit her son, daughter, granddaughter and great grandson. “Grandma Pepper” was always determined and the love for her family kept her traveling for many years. She was a fantastic cook and loved to entertain family and friends in her home. Her freezer was always full of her baking so when “pop-in” guests stopped by they were not allowed to leave until after “lunch!” She kept a large garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Canning, freezing and making jam was an annual activity. Marjorie as was extraordinary at learning new things and she could sew virtually anything.

Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Jean Louise Blair of Decorah, IA: her son Gerald Francis (Sandi) Severson of Montgomery, TX; her granddaughter, Makenzie (Christopher) Blythe of McKinney, TX; great-grandson Hudson Everett Blythe; brother-in-law, Walter Teslow of Decorah; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carl on June 27, 1978; her mother, Luella on November 29, 1992; her husband Everett on December 1, 1989; her brother, Virgil Stortz on June 20, 2005; and her sister, Lorraine Teslow on April 25, 2019.

The family would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of Wellington Place and Patty Elwood Center for their kindness and the extraordinary care she received the past year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Wellington Place, 2479 River Road, Decorah, IA 52101, Patty Elwood Center, 21668 80th Street, Cresco, IA 52136 or Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

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