Obituary of Marjorie L. Powell

Marjorie L. Powell, the daughter of William H. and Mary Backhaus Steffen, was born April 24, 1922, on a farm south of Royal, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in the Royal and Peterson areas where she received her education in the Clay County school system. Marjorie married Donald R. Powell on October 9, 1942, at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where her husband was stationed at the beginning of his four years in the U.S. Army during WWII. After his discharge, Don and Marjorie were engaged in farming near Terril, Iowa, until their retirement after which they made their home in Spirit Lake. Marjorie was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church where she participated enthusiastically in Bible Study, Summer Bible Camp, National Lutheran Women's Missionary League Conventions, and was recognized as an outstanding volunteer of the year by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. In her leisure time, Marjorie was a gifted artisan who spent many rewarding hours crafting and painting a wide array of interesting items. She also enjoyed plants, flowers, and outdoor gardening. Marjorie passed away at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa, on Friday, February 22, 2008, at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Elmer, Alfred, Bill, Everett, one brother in infancy and four sisters: Etta Klatt, Marion Rohweder, Leona Kreisel, Clara Christensen and one sister in infancy. She is survived by one daughter, Judy, and her husband, Roy Lee of Savage, Minnesota; one son, Donald Jr., and his wife, Judy Powell of Arbuckle, California; one grandson, David Powell, of Reno, Nevada; three granddaughters: Tammy, Carey and Jamie of California, and several great grandchildren; one sister, Caroline Peterson, of Newbury Park, California; one sister-in-law, Amanda Steffen of Spencer, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.