Marge Werkmeister, age 90 of Lake View, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, IA, surrounded by her family. Marjorie Mae Ellis-King was born on September 27, 1933, in Lake View to parents Clyde and Angeline (Bruns) Ellis. Her parents later divorced and her mother married Lester King who then adopted Marge. She grew up an only child on a farm outside of Sac City, IA, and attended country school before attending Sac City High School. Marge graduated from Sac City High School with the class of 1950.
On July 19, 1951, Marge married the love of her life, Duane “Tocky” Werkmeister in Wall Lake, IA. This union was blessed with five children: Dianne, Dennis, Rick, Lori, and Jeffrey. Right after they were married, they lived on a farm outside of Lake View before moving to Pocahontas, IA. They lived in Pocahontas for eight years before returning to Lake View where they would continue to farm and live until retiring to their lake home in town in 1991.
Marge was an amazing wife, mother, and homemaker. She cooked large meals daily and delivered out to the fields or to wherever the men were working. She took such pride in caring for her children and husband throughout her life. Marge and Tocky planted a large garden every spring and canned hundreds of jars of food to stock up the shelves in the basement every fall. She loved being outside and enjoyed planting and tending to her flowers every spring and summer.
Marge’s children fondly remember their dad saying “time to get up Marge, it’s hair day” every Friday as it was the day he drove her to town to get her hair styled. This was something that was always very important to her. She was a classy gal who always took the time to look put-together before leaving the house.
Marge and Tocky enjoyed camping together. They purchased their first pop-up camper when the children were still all at home yet and as the years went by, traded in for new frequently. Getting all of the food prepped for a week’s worth of camping was always quite the ordeal, something her children remember well. Later in life, they took their camper to Arizona for several winters before purchasing a home down there that they would continue to spend their winters in. They owned RV’s as well and enjoyed taking road trips with friends to many states. They also enjoyed taking trips together to area casinos.
Marge had many friends and enjoyed having the ‘neighborhood ladies’ over for coffee. This was something the group shared in, visiting each other’s homes. She was also an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View by helping at church events and serving in the Ladies Aid. Her sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Werkmeister) Henry was just like a sister to her. Marge was so very grateful for the close relationship the two of them had throughout her life. She was also great friends with Darlene “Dar” Mohr. The two of them enjoyed going out to dinner, rides around the lake, as well as going to church together.
Marge was the wife, mom, and grandma that every family hopes to have. She was so involved with her children and grandchildren and adored spending as much time as she could with all of them. She was very present in all of their lives. She is dearly missed by her family and will be forever by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her children, Dennis (Denise) Werkmeister of Lake View, IA, Rick (Julie) Werkmeister of Des Moines, IA, and Lori (Bob) Bogue of Lake View, IA; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren plus one on the way; and nine great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law Larry (Nadine) Werkmeister of Evansdale, IA; sister-in-law Mary Henry of Cedar Falls, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Duane “Tocky” Werkmeister; infant daughter Dianne Kaye Werkmeister; son Jeffrey Jon Werkmeister; grandson Adam Bogue; great-grandson Tyler Ross; parents Clyde Ellis, Lester and Angeline King; and parents-in-law Edward and Bertha Werkmeister.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View, IA, with Reverend Don E. Peterson III officiating. Burial will be in the Wall Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Lake View. Farber & Otteman Funeral HOme has been entrusted to care for Marge and her family.
