Officiating Pastor Angie Loomis United Methodist Church
Music “Hymn of Promise” “Morning Has Broken” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
Congregation
JoAnn Karsten, Organist
Honorary Bearers Marge’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Phillip Detlefsen, Matthew Detlefsen, Sarah Lloyd, Max Detlefsen, Chase Detlefsen, Tommy Lloyd, John Lloyd, Brooke Detlefsen
Visitation Thursday December 15, 2011, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning
Funeral Service Friday December 16, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church, Manning
Private Family Committal Service of Cremated Remains
Friday, December 16, 2011 Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

Marjorie, daughter of Leo B. and Louise (Enochson) Smith, was born November 7, 1918, in Williamsburg, Iowa. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1936. Marge then attended Iowa State College and earned a B.S. in Home Economics in 1940.

Marge taught Home Economics in Manning and Oskaloosa after graduation. In Manning she met Max Detlefsen (“He was one in a million!”) and on December 27, 1942, they were united in marriage in her parents' home in Williamsburg. They lived in Lebanon, Missouri where Max was stationed in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood.

After Max’s honorable discharge from the Army in 1945 they lived in Williamsburg for a short time before moving to Manning. They made their home there, living for 60 years (1950-2010) in the house that Max built on East Street.

At various times Marge was the bookkeeper for Detlefsen Electric, worked part time in the Business Office at St. Anthony Hospital, and was Treasurer for the United Methodist Church. She was also a substitute teacher at MHS.

But, Marge’s first love was being a homemaker! She and Max raised two children, Ann (1945) and John (1950). She was a fabulous cook and baker. Her mouth-wateringly good pies and pastries, cakes and tea rings were prized by family, friends and church supper-goers, all of whom snatched them from the table with gusto. It could be said that the family grumbled some when these items went out the door to be delivered to others, Marge laughing heartily as she left the house.

Marge had lots of friends. She was good and kind and thoughtful to all, had a great sense of humor and was lots of fun. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, PEO and Manning Woman’s Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, bowling, reading, listening to music and traveling.

Macular degeneration struck Marge in 1993 and she endured it for the rest of her life. Her retinologist told her she was his “worst case” patient and the severity of the disease gradually caused her to lose the ability to do most everything she enjoyed. It was a huge challenge for her, but she soldiered on with Max’s good help. Books On Tape and National Public Radio became her new best friends.

Two months after Max’s death on November 2, 2010 Marge moved to the Manning Plaza. She lived there for almost a year and then died at the Manning Regional Health Care Center on December 12, 2011, after a short illness.

Preceding Marge in death are her husband, her parents, and her sister, Kathryn Wemer.

Marge is survived by her daughter Ann Detlefsen (husband Dr. Robert Hoehle) of Des Moines; and son John Detlefsen (wife Gwen) of Manning; and three grandchildren: Dr. Phillip Detlefsen (wife Dr. Kimberly Martin) of St. Michael, Minnesota; Matt Detlefsen of Manning and Dr. Sarah Lloyd (husband Dr. Thomas Lloyd III) of West Des Moines and five great-grandchildren.