Marjorie Mary Godbersen Thayer, age 97, of Odebolt, IA, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, IA. Marjorie was born on January 18, 1918, on the family farm north of Odebolt to Edward and Mary (Gonnerman) Godbersen. She was baptized October 6, 1918 and confirmed her faith at the Presbyterian Church in Odebolt where she remained a lifelong member. Marge attended Richland #6 Country School and graduated from Odebolt High School in 1935.
On May 29, 1940, Marge was united in marriage to Bernie Edward Thayer at the Odebolt Presbyterian Church. They were blessed with two sons Richard and Roger. She reveled in her new job as a farmers wife and mother, caring for her children and helping Bernie in any way she could. Marge enjoyed coin collecting, working with her flowers, quilting, sewing and keeping scrapbooks for her grandchildren. She was a member of the Birthday Club, WRC, and was on the first committee that established the Avenue of Flags in the Odebolt Cemetery. In her later years, Marge enjoyed going to senior meals and sometimes playing their nickel game. She was often seen at Community events in the area.
Marge was a faithful church worker, serving as church treasurer for over 20 years, and as a Deacon and Guild member. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved so dearly.
Those left to treasure her memory include her sons: Richard Edward Thayer and wife Joan of Odebolt and Roger Dean Thayer and wife Virginia of Lake View; grandchildren: Kristie (Steve) Spotts of Sac City, Kathy (Corie) Erickson of Humboldt, Patti Thayer and friend Denton Schoenbaum of Sac City, Michael (Jennifer) Thayer of Odebolt, Laurie (William) Schenkelberg of Carroll, and Amanda (Richard) Kearns of Fairway, KS; great-grandchildren: Stephanie Spotts and friend Alex Wendell and Ryan Spotts and friend Blair Bennett, Lauren Erickson, Zachary and Hanna Jastorff, Aleisha, Bretten and Denae Thayer, Courtney and William Schenkelberg, Zaira, Giles and Warwick Kearns; and step-great-grandchildren: Chanin Johnson and Nathan Jastorff. Other survivors include her sisters: Mary Ann Siebrecht of Storm Lake and Mildred (Dean) Hartzell of Omaha, NE; many nieces and nephews and extended family members.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bernie; brothers: William and Harold Godbersen; sisters: Tillie Ziegmann, Eleanor Peterson, Edna Peterson, and Helen Mentzer; and great-grandchildren: Zane and Marissa Jastorff.
