Marguerite E. Bertelsen

Marguerite E. Bertelsen of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, following a courageous battle with declining health. Marguerite, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Graff) Schuller, was born on September 2, 1918, on the Schuller homestead north of Mallard, Iowa. She received her education at St. Mary's parochial school and graduated from the Mallard Community High School. Marguerite attended Bernel's Cosmetology School in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1936, and worked in various salons after graduation. She then moved to Hampton and purchased her own salon, serving her profession and community with dedication for more than 60 years. On February 5, 1945, Margo was united in marriage to Nick Bertelsen at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The couple resided in Hampton all these years. In 1965, Nick had a severe stoke and required many years of rehabilitation. She continued to live in her home after Nick's death; her faith kept her going. Marguerite was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hampton and became very involved in church activities. She became a Eucharistic minister, lector, first usher, a greeter and a religious instructor for those who were interested in becoming members of the church. She also traveled to other churches in the Dubuque dioceses and talked about sacrificial giving. For 25 years, Marguerite was in charge of the Lenten soup dinners at the church. She became a board member of the retreat house in Waterloo and was involved in hospice work also for 25 years. Marguerite loved to cook and to entertain her many friends. Playing bridge was one of her first loves and she was still playing about a month prior to her death. She always referred to her bridge games as her "Life Line." She was a very generous person with her time and talent and traveling was a great part of her life. Marguerite is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Nick in 1981, sisters Helen Jessup, Leone Draman and Veronica Larson and brothers Alphonsus Schuller, Jack Schuller and Willard Schuller. Burial will take place in the Hampton Cemetery.

Tributes

Marguerite E. Bertelsen

September 2, 1918 - July 27, 2012