Marjorie Nienstedt
Marjorie I. Nienstedt, 91, died Feb. 2, 2004, at her home in Antelope.
Born March 30, 1912, on a farm south of Antelope, she was the daughter of John Wesley and Lucena (Stebbins) Ford. She had two sisters, Hattie and Hazel, and a brother, Howard.
The family lived for a brief time in Arkansas, then returned to Antelope to operate a general store.
On Nov. 2, 1932, she married Alvin F. Nienstedt in Marion. They spent the next 10 years on various farms in the Antelope area.
In February 1944, Marjorie's father died and the family moved to Antelope to live in her childhood home. They took over management of the general store and post office.
Alvin worked at the Antelope elevator and later purchased and managed it. Marjorie was busy in the store during harvest time, selling refreshments to waiting farmers.
She was a hard worker and diligent homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing, as well as fishing with Alvin and the family. She also was known for cracking black walnuts and sharing with family and friends.
For more than 40 years she was a country correspondent for the Marion County Record. She injected personal experiences and observations into her columns, which were widely-read and enjoyed by many.
In November she quit driving, but remained active until the past few months. She was a member of Marion Christian Church and the Women's Christian Fellowship. She also was a member of Friendly Circle Club of Antelope and St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary.
Despite numerous health problems, she persisted in an active lifestyle. She grew weaker but continued to look forward to daily calls and frequent visits from her children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin in 1988; two sisters; a brother; two daughters, Marjorie Rae and Lou Jean Nesser; and three grandchildren.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Margie Nienstedt of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Allen "Buck" Sangwin of White City; and son-in-law, Charles "Sonny" Nesser of Peabody; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Marion Christian Church with the Rev. Carl Helm officiating.
Christopher DeYoe, vocalist, sang "Amazing Grace," and "In the Garden." Organist was Donna Hayen.
Casket bearers were Gary Nesser, Mike Nesser, Doug Nesser, Allen Sangwin, Theron Nienstedt, Bill Cunningham, and Doug Williams.
Honorary casket bearers were John Dvorak, Chris DeYoe, Gary Spohn, Terry Schmidt, and Forrest Kelsey.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
A memorial fund was established with the church.
