"I was blessed to have a Grandmother that was so strong and beautiful....both inside and out. I will miss her terribly, but knowing that she is reunited with Grandpa Sport makes it easier. Love you, Grandma. I sure hope heaven is unscented:)"
In loving memory of
Marion Fuchsen
July 10, 1921 - November 25, 2011
Marion Elizabeth Fuchsen, the daughter of Henry and Elisabeth Schilmoeller Degen, was born July 10, 1921, in Granville, Iowa. The family later moved to Geddes, SD, and then Eagle Grove, IA, where her father died in 1934. The family then moved back to Granville, IA.
Marion, the eldest of eight, aided the family by going to work helping other families but was proud to earn her GED in the '60's. Later she went to cosmetology school in Sioux City and worked in Le Mars and then Sioux City. It was there that she met Lester (Sport) Fuchsen and they continued their courtship through many letters while he was serving in the Navy in the South Pacific during the war. They married in 1946, returning to Whittemore, IA, where they bought the Fuchsen family farm and raised their family.
Marion was a member of St. Michael's Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, the Whittemore Women's Club and Legion Auxiliary and her favorite, Bridge Club. Sport and Marion enjoyed a wonderful circle of friends and neighbors, including many returning GI's and their families. Their love of travel took them across the US and to many countries, including Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia. They were happily married for 34 years before Sport's death in April, 1985.
Marion had great strength of character which was supported by her strong faith, her Catholic heritage and trust in God. She loved her family very much and relished all of the time she spent with not only her children and their families, but also her brothers, sisters and their families. Many of them joined her for a grand 90th birthday celebration in July, 2011.
She is survived by her sons, Thomas (Marianne) Fuchsen of Spencer, IA, Kenneth (Elizabeth) Fuchsen of Baranduda, Victoria, Australia and daughter Karen (Thomas) Houlihan of La Crosse, WI; 10 grandchildren: Nicole (Todd) Thomas, of Cedar Falls, IA, Benjamin (Stephanie) Fuchsen of Chicago, IL, Sarah (Casey) Beaver of Spencer, IA; Emma (fiancé Peter Avery) Fuchsen of Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, Joseph Fuchsen and Sophie Fuchsen of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and Hugh Fuchsen of Baranduda, Victoria, Australia; Katie (Brian) MacKenzie of Denver, CO, Thomas Daly of Dubuque, IA, Molly Rose Daly of Navarre, FL; 8 great-grandchildren: Noel, Natalie and Ella Thomas, Dellis, Samantha and Lily Beaver, and Brody and Liam MacKenzie; one sister: Florence Goff of Sioux City, IA; two brothers: William (Anita) Degen of Algona, IA and Rev. Jerome A. Degen of Ft. Dodge, IA; four sisters-in-law: Virginia Degen of Holstein, IA, Camilla Degen of Omaha, NE, Ann Degen of Bancroft, IA and Helen Fuchsen of Dwight, IL, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and siblings: Esther Lombardo, Leonard Degen, Robert Degen and Donald Degen; in-laws; Vincent Lombardo, James F. Goff, Cecelia Wasson, Mae Bedsaul, Luella and Dee Oswalt, Ted and Minnie Fuchsen, Irene and William McCauley and Joseph Fuchsen.
Tributes
"I cherish the pillowcase dolls Marion made from my grandmothers' embroidered cases -- a lovely and generous thing to do for one of the "outlaws." We spent many laugh-filled times in Whittemore with Marion, Sport and assorted family members. Mary Ann McCauley"
"Marion was my Godmother along with Arnold Alesch. My mother was Tillie Alesch and I don't remember what special relationship she had with my mom to be asked to be a sponsor. I plan on coming to the funeral so maybe I will find this out. She was a beautiful lady. Sport and Marion would come visit us and several times they invited me sto spend a week with them but Dad always said no. I guess that meant dad would have wto milk cows for the week I was gone. I got to see her several times while Father Jerry was our Pastor in Wall Lake. Paul Alesch..Lake View Ia"
"We had so many fun times at the farm with Uncle Sport and Aunt Marion. Walking beans, mowing the yard, driving the tractor as hard as it would go down the end rows (we only did this when we stayed over night and they went to town!!!) Aunt Marion always made us feel at home, both when we were good and bad!!. She will be missed. Ron Degen "
"What a wonderful person Aunt Marion was....always so dignified, so genuine....a true lady. My love to all the family...she will be greatly missed."
"I am sorry to hear of my Aunt Marion's passing. I always saw her as a woman of great beauty, dignity and grace. My love and condolences to her family.
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"I remember my Mother's admiration and respect for her sister, my Aunt Marion and my Godmother. As I grew to know her, the reasons were clear. She was an incredible woman with insight and wit! Her children are a testament to her as a Mother. I was very lucky to have her in my life and will miss her..."