Madeline Marie “Molly” Fowler, 1951 - 2018

FOWLER, NEWGAARD, MONTAGNE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/7/2018 at 20:11:12

Sioux City Journal
12 September 2018

Sioux City

Madeline Marie “Molly” Fowler, 67, of Sioux City, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at a local hospital.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Armand Bertrand officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and evening services at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Molly was born on April 26, 1951, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sioux City, the daughter of Jerome and Coleen (Newgaard) Montagne. She was the oldest of seven children: Barbara (Chilson), Denise (Stocks), Shelley (Welch), Jerome Montagne, Carol (Bertrand) and John Montagne.

Madeline attended St. Joseph School from first to third grade. She attended Hunt Elementary for fourth grade and Floyd Elementary for fifth grade. In later years she attended North Middle School and graduated in 1970 from Central High School. Madeline’s favorite subjects in school were home economics and etiquette.

After high school, Madeline went to secretarial training at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. She did her secretarial internship at City Hall in Sioux City.

Madeline married Dennis Fowler on July 31, 1971, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. They honeymooned for two days in South Dakota. Madeline started her secretarial career at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. She worked there for three years. With the arrival of their infant son, Robert, she decided to take up motherhood full time. Madeline and Dennis thoroughly enjoyed raising their son together. Robert is now a successful attorney and vintner (wine maker) in Wisconsin.

Molly worked at a number of jobs. She was employed by Diamond Vogel selling paint and being a paint consultant for interior decorators. She was a receptionist for an office of Lutheran Brotherhood and Cathedral of the Epiphany. She was also a secretary at Augustana Lutheran Church. Molly especially enjoyed working in the Hallmark aisle at the Morningside Walgreens. She often said it was her favorite job because, “I like cards and I liked helping people pick out cards.”

Madeline and Dennis enjoyed teaching Catholic Education (CCD) for some years. They taught first grade and seventh grade. For many years they were ushers at the 10:30 a.m. Mass for Immaculate Conception. Madeline and Dennis helped coach YMCA soccer for 17 years and she was a Cub Scout Den Mother for two years.

Molly said, “I really loved children and babies and being around them.” Her face lit up when she was around children and they knew that she was interested and cared about each of them.

In later life Molly took up artistic pursuits. Her favorite was portraits using pencil. She used other mediums such as oil and acrylic paints. She was active in the writing class at the Active Generations Senior Center in Sioux City. She was an avid reader at home. Molly loved every new day of her life, and she enjoyed the company of all ages of people. A stranger was only a stranger until she met them, then they were a new friend.

Molly and Dennis both enjoyed train travel. Madeline said her favorite train trip was to California because she was able to visit relatives and go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. She and Dennis also traveled by train to Washington, D.C., Florida and Michigan.

Molly battled heart disease for 18 years, Type 2 diabetes for 52 years and cancer for 17 years. She was always a fighter and willing to try any new medications that the medical establishment suggested. Three times she was told to get her affairs in order. But, as Molly said, “Only God knows when I am scheduled to join Him.” She wanted to thank all the volunteers and staff who helped and encouraged her throughout her life.

Molly felt fortunate to have a loving son and husband. She said, “I saw and did many things that I wouldn’t have done without them.” Her granddaughter, Ruby, was the “apple of her eye.” Molly said, “Dennis tried very hard to take care of me at home and did a good job.”

Madeline is survived by her husband, Dennis Fowler; her siblings; and her son, Robert and his wife, Nyla Fowler and her granddaughter, Ruby Fowler.

She was preceded in death by her parents.