"Just learned that she had passed, and wanted to give our condolences to the family. What a great role model to my young family, she was. Remembering all the laughter and good times we shared. May she enjoy eternal light! Sue and Thad Stanton"
In loving memory of
Marjorie Allison
January 24, 1930 - September 29, 2022
Marjorie Evelyn Allison, 92, of Ames, Iowa passed away on September 28, 2022, at Green Hills Health Care Center.
Marjorie, the daughter of Wendell and Sylvia (Hansen) Peterson, was born January 24, 1930, at home near Viborg, South Dakota during a blizzard. The roads to the family's rural home were blocked by snowdrifts and her father had gone with a team of horses to meet the doctor. Marjorie arrived before the doctor; and so, began her lifelong habit of arriving early. Marjorie grew up on a farm in South Dakota and graduated from Strandborg, SD High School in 1947. After her graduation from High School, she attended General Beadle State Teachers' College in Madison, SD. Marjorie taught 2nd grade in Brookings, SD for four years, obtaining the position after hitch hiking 39 miles to get to the job interview. She then pursued additional education at South Dakota State University where she "re-met" her husband-to-be, Milton Allison. They had previously met while attended rival high schools. Milton and Marjorie were married on December 27, 1953, during another South Dakota snowstorm.
After her husband's service in the Army and the completion of his PhD., Marjorie and Milton moved to Ames, Iowa in 1962 where Marjorie stayed at home and raised their 3 children. When her youngest child entered high school, Marjorie returned to work and was employed at the Ames Public Library as a reference librarian and as one of the "Book Mobile Ladies". She was an active member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and participated in various programs of the church. She was a founding member of the Ames, Iowa chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill and helped many families experiencing the effects of mental illness.
Marjorie was a much-loved wife, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother and friend. Family was important to her, and her children feel lucky that she was their mother. She showered her grandchildren with love, reading and coloring and playing with them when they were little, and she was proud of their accomplishments as they grew. Marjorie was a kind and generous host, welcoming friends or her husband's colleagues into her home for holiday dinners. She was an avid quilter, a baker of remarkable sweet rolls and pies, a talented seamstress, a voracious reader and she loved to travel. She was proud of her Danish heritage and South Dakota prairie farm upbringing. Marjorie was a lifelong, unapologetic "tree-hugging liberal" and supported causes that benefited her community, country and the world.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Milton in March of 2022. She is survived by daughters Linda (Hessam) Rejvani, Brenda Allison (James Trahan) and a son Bradley, grandchildren Kelsey (Kyle) Dunn, Hunter Torgerson, Lauren Rejvani (Julian Hirschbaum) and Alex Rejvani, a great granddaughter, Sofia Dunn, brothers, Maynard and Maurice Peterson and many nieces and nephews. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents and two of her brothers, Merle and Allan Peterson.
Memorials may be directed to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Lakes Life Skills in Spirit Lake Iowa or NAMI of Central Iowa. There will be a visitation with family at Grandon Funeral Home, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18; with a Celebration of Life at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Ave, Ames, IA 50014 on Wednesday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m.
The family wishes to express thanks for the excellent care Marjorie received from the staff of the Memory Care Unit at GHCC and Suncrest Hospice Services.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com