Marjorie Heusinkveld's Obituary
Marjorie Heusinkveld, age 85 of Centerville, Iowa passed away Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Mills Harbour Assisted Living in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Marjorie (Marj) Ann Creager was born on September 23, 1928 in Denver, Colorado, and adopted by Nellie and Robert K. Creager of Cody, Wyoming. She grew up in Cody with her brother, Robert (Bob) E. Creager in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and graduated from high school in 1946. She loved the mountains and enjoyed hiking, horseback riding, fishing trips to Yellowstone Park, and swimming in the sulphur hot springs in her youth.
In 1946, Marj attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie, then transferred to the University of Colorado School of Nursing in Boulder in 1949. She completed an internship at Colorado General Hospital in Denver, receiving a B.S in Nursing in 1952 and passed the State Board tests to become a Registered Nurse in both Colorado and Wyoming.
She met Willis (Bill) M. Heusinkveld in Casper, Wyoming. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church on September 14, 1952, and made their first home in Casper. They moved to Iowa in 1955, first residing in Ottumwa, then moving to Centerville in 1958, where Bill worked for Iowa Southern Utilities and they raised their family of three daughters, Joyce, Judy and Jean. They shared 59 years of marriage before Bill died in 2011.
Marj had a rich and varied career as a nurse. She first worked for the Natrona County Hospital in Casper, Wyoming. After moving to Centerville and starting her family, she went back to work for the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital as a floor nurse. She became the office R.N. to Dr. E.F. Ritter in 1963. In 1968, she was asked to teach a Practical Nursing course in Pediatrics for Indian Hills Community College. After three years of teaching, she had the opportunity to enter public health nursing in 1971, working for Appanoose County. This area of nursing was by far the most rewarding of her career. She continued in public health until 1977 when she opted to go part-time. She worked as the Coordinator for Utilization Review for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until 1982 when she retired from active nursing.
Marj was an active member of PEO joining in 1965, the First Presbyterian Church of Centerville, and numerous other organizations. She served on the Appanoose County Conservation Board, was elected president of T.T.T. in 1967, was actively involved in Trees Forever, helped to establish the Centerville Lord's Cupboard, and assisted in founding the Central Iowa Hospice. She shared an avid interest in birdwatching with her husband Bill and was active in local birdwatching clubs.
Marj was highly creative. She wrote extensive poetry as a young woman before assuming the busy life as a mother. She was a skilled seamstress and talented knitter, crafting beautiful clothing and blankets. She also created many treasured cross-stitch and needlepoint pieces for family and friends.
She is survived by three daughters, Joyce (Daryl) Sherman of Lake Mills, Iowa, Judy (Joe) Olsen of Independence, Iowa, and Jean Heusinkveld of Fairbanks, Alaska; seven grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, and her brother Bob.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 26, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Centerville with Reverend Suzanne Gorhau officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery, Centerville. Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church in Centerville and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. A visitation will take place on Thursday at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 6-8 PM. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
September 25, 2014 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Funeral Service
September 26, 2014 10:30 AM
First Presbyterian Church 102 N. Main Street Centerville, IA
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