Helen J. Marget

Helen Joyce Marget (April 1, 2021)

Helen peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord and the loving comfort of her beloved husband George who preceded her in death. She was surrounded by her four children and the wonderfully supportive health care staff at Oaknoll Retirement Center in Iowa City, Iowa, where she was so lovingly cared for over the past 12 years. She was able to keep her upbeat and positive perspective on life despite the persistent challenges of Alzheimer's. Helen had the uncanny ability to bring joy and love to those around her with a never-ending smile, a sweet grasp of your hand, or a warm hug. Through the end, she remained the remarkably loving person that she had always been. Helen was married to George for 41 wonderful years. After George's death 28 years ago, Helen's love for books eventually led her to spearhead the capital campaign in her incredible hometown of Sigourney, Iowa to build a new town library, which still stands as a testament to Helen's great love for the written word and literacy for all.
Helen had the remarkable ability to keep an impeccably clean house, despite hosting many fun-filled cocktail parties. That "Nanny-fied Clean" gene survives to this day in Helen's four children due to the fact that they were "alarmingly" awoken on weekends at 7:00 a.m. to Nanny's vacuuming. Her children are: Amy Nimmer (Ron) of Bettendorf, Iowa; Ann Bartoli (Steve) of Birmingham, Michigan, George Marget, III (Gayle) of Richmond, Virginia, and Patrick Marget (Jill) of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Helen was known as "Nanny" to her eleven grandchildren: Emily Blaylock (Matt), Abbey Eisenlauer (Rick), Stephen Bartoli (Jacquelene), Elizabeth Bartoli, Patrick Bartoli, Ryan Theisen (Graham), Bailey Thornton (Trey), Geordy Marget, Katy Marget, Jenna Marget, Brady Marget, as well as four great grandchildren: Kinsail and Reeve Blaylock, and Blake and Henry Eisenlauer. She was also one of ten children herself, and four of her siblings survive her. She will be greatly missed by her community of family, friends, and caregivers, but there is great comfort in knowing that she is now back with George, and in the loving presence of Christ . . . Heaven will now be "Nanny-fied Clean."
Helen had an incredibly joyful demeanor throughout her life that meaningfully impacted all around her. Helen's joyful spirit will be honored through a collaborative effort with the Oaknoll Foundation. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be directed to the Oaknoll Foundation "in memory of Helen Marget" by clicking on the following link: www.oaknoll.com/foundation. Donations would also be appreciated to the Sigourney Public Library in Helen's honor.

Private family mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at St. John Vianney Church in Bettendorf. The service will be livestreamed on the church facebook page and website for the public to view. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Helen and her family.