Obituaries : Marjorie R. Cufr

Marjorie R. Cufr

TRAER – Marjorie Rose Cufr, 88, died Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at her home in Traer surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 29, 2016, at Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer with Rev. Bob Fread officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 28, also at the church. Interment will be in Buckingham Cemetery, Traer.
Marjorie was born November 29, 1927, in Shelby, Iowa, the daughter of Lowell and Alice Porter Kern. She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Traer. She attended country school near Traer and, in the 8th grade, she took the test to qualify for admission to Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Dinsdale High School and went on to college in Cedar Falls. She taught for one year at Crystal #1 and Baker’s one-room schoolhouse.
After meeting Emil at a singles’ dance and dating for a year, the couple was united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church in Traer on a very hot day, August 13, 1947. They honeymooned in South Dakota. Marjorie left her teaching job to raise her family and farm with Emil. The couple farmed in several locations until moving to Traer in 1972. He preceded her in death on April 5, 2015.
Marjorie was a member of Ripley United Church of Christ in Traer, and she also worked as the church custodian. She was also a member of the Harmony Homemakers.
Marjorie enjoyed reading, playing games and cards, birdwatching and collecting stamps, but her greatest joy was her family.
Marjorie is survived by her children: Michael (Paula) Cufr of Milton, FL; Ernie (Julie) Cufr and Dawn (Rick) Mason, both of Traer; and Amy Hancock, Elaine Bangs and Jill (Kevin) Sempf, all of Cedar Rapids; 7 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; and 5 step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers: Wentzel, Marvin, Byron and Roy Kern; one sister, Ruth Wood; and son-in-law Jon Hancock.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Traer Public Library.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Marjorie and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.