Margaret Marnin

Margaret Ann Marnin, 73, of Anita, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

She was born July 7, 1939, in Atlantic, Iowa, to Arlo and Frances (Briles) Christensen. She was raised on the family farm near Anita. She attended Anita Community School and graduated from Anita High School with the class of 1957. On July 7, 1957, she was united in marriage to Tom Marnin at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa.


Margaret was a homemaker and a mother, yet also held various jobs in the Anita area throughout her working years. She was also a lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita.
Margaret, also known as Maggie, was a loving and giving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to making sure Tom's needs were met, she enjoyed going to visit, have a cup of coffee, and care for her parents. She and Tom loved dancing together through the years, including attending many firemen's dances. Family was important to Margaret, and she always took the opportunity to share stories about her children and grandchildren.


Maggie loved and collected angels and wind chimes and was an avid Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, and country music fan. She loved perfume, purses, jewelry, and nail polish, and always wanted to give them away to her daughters and granddaughters, saying, "You might get more use out of this than I will." At Grandma's house, the candy jar was always full, and at holiday gatherings, there was always more food than everyone could eat. Her spunk and witty personality will always be remembered.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Tom Marnin of Anita; her children, Mark and wife, Liz Marnin of Anita, Randy and wife, Dawn Marnin of Indianapolis, IN, Becky and husband, Myron Grubbs of Adair, IA, Cindy Marnin of Broomfield, CO, Lori and husband, Chris Swalla of Earlham, IA; her grandchildren, Brent, Bo, Jeromy, Steven, LaRanda, Michelle, Melanie, Monica, Charity, Caleb and Nicholas; her great-grandchildren, Ethan, Austin, Ashlyn, Keaton, Cooper, Charlie and Ian; sisters, Mardyll Fries of Fort Collins, CO, Mary Lou and husband, Larry Phillips of Anita, and Marlene Strauss of Atlantic; her brother, David Christensen of Anita; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlo and Frances Christensen, and her brother, Arlo Jr. in infancy.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 23, 2012, at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa.


Visitation will be Sunday, July 22, 2012, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home, Anita, Iowa.

Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Anita, Iowa.