Marjorie Ihrke

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Marjorie Ihrke lived life to the fullest each day. She was kindhearted and generous with a heart that was as big as they come. Marjorie was a devoted wife and loving mother who considered it her richest reward to nurture her loved ones throughout her entire life. Things were not always easy for her, but her graceful courage and quiet strength were such an inspiration to others. She was a woman who knew what she liked, and she wasn't afraid to take matters into her own hands if needed. Although she will be deeply missed, Marjorie will never be forgotten. At the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader for the first time. With the eyes of the world focused on our shores, we led the way in innovation that transformed the way we lived our daily lives. Radios, refrigerators, and motion pictures in both color and sound were among the major accomplishments, and prosperity was plentiful. It was just as this decade was dawning that Clarence and Ina (Kingsley) Smith were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Marjorie on December 5, 1920. Born in Stockton, Minnesota, she was raised at Oak Ridge and Quincy. Marge attended local schools including a high school in Kellogg. As a high school student she also worked for a local family. Marjorie excelled in her studies to the point where she was able to skip a grade. In fact, she loved showing off her seventh grade report card, when she was promoted to the ninth grade. She wasn't always the best at being able to locate things, except when it came to her prized report card! Not long after graduating from high school, Marjorie's life was forever changed when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was George Ihrke, and they met at the Dover Calf Show. They began dating, and with a desire to establish a life together they were married on December 16, 1940, at the farm with the round barn in Quincy during a snowstorm that was so severe that they brought the preacher in on a horse and sleigh! The newlyweds settled in the Dover area and worked alongside one another as farmers. Together they welcomed ten children including George, Bonnie, Marvin, Bernard, Barbara, Beverly, Roger, Becky, Brenda, and Douglas into their hearts and home over the years. The Ihrkes were given a tough pill to swallow in January of 1945 when George was drafted into the United States Navy. George took Marge and three children to Cromwell to stay with her parents while he served his countryA civilian again in December of 1945, their family stayed in Cromwell, Minnesota. George worked outside of the home, which allowed Marge to primarily focus her time and attention at home. When needed, she did work outside of the home to help bring in a little bit of extra money. In 1950, they moved to Dover. For years, holidays were held at her house, but over time they moved to Roger's restaurant and then to the Dover Fire Hall during recent years. Marge forever viewed the days that each of her ten children were born as the greatest days of her life as her family was always first and foremost. Although she didn't like to eat it herself, there was always wild game in the sink to prepare including the time she prepared all five of the pheasants that George brought home from his hunt just so she could get it done and over with! Marge also didn't like green vegetables, eggs, or beef since when she was in fourth grade her pet calf was slaughtered and served. As her family and friends can attest, she loved her candy, especially Hershey bars, and everyone knew they would rarely share any of her candy or her maple nut ice cream. Marge was a loving mother to be sure, but she wasn't afraid to be firm when needed, often saying, "Give you a lickin'" if her kids got out of hand. Throughout her life Marge was a bustle of activity. In addition to her fantastic skills in the kitchen, Marjorie was a talented seamstress who made many of her children's clothes. Over the years she also made more than 90 beautiful sequined Christmas stockings for family and friends. Marge was a member of the Dover United Methodist Church, and Sunday morning coffee with family and friends was a longstanding tradition that everyone treasured. For years Marge and George enjoyed fishing together, and who could forget the time that she cast her fishing pole right into the Mississippi River? They both loved to camp as well, and at one point they decided to splurge on an RV. In fact, after one look around the showroom, Marjorie announced that they weren't leaving until they bought "this one!" She loved being with babies and kids, and Marjorie took every advantage of being with them whenever she could. Marge saved everything, especially birthday cards and special announcements, and she was famous for hiding "birthday money" in her purse. She and George were known for having "discussions" as she often took the opposite viewpoint just for the sake of discussion. After George's death in 2013, Marge remarked, "I really miss having someone to argue with!" All who knew Marjorie Ihrke would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was resourceful and talented while also working hard in everything she did. Marge deeply loved her children, although she said that raising ten kids "wasn't a piece of cake," but she made caring for a bustling household seem effortless. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and was known for asking her granddaughters if they "got a boyfriend?" Beautiful on the inside and out, Marjorie will never be forgotten. Marjorie Ihrke, of Dover, died Monday morning, July 13th at Golden Living Center in St. Charles. Marge's family includes her nine children: George (Ann) Ihrke of Buckley, IL, Bonnie (Larry) Lewis of Byron, Marvin (Ardith) Ihrke of Dover, Barbara (Ray) Literski of Minnesota City, Beverly (Lyle) Lawrenz of Eyota, Roger (Cheryle) Ihrke of Dover, Becky (Paul) Severson of Rochester, Brenda (Cary) Korpela of Cromwell and Douglas (Emily) Ihrke of Milwaukee, WI; 25 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Eugene (Pat) Smith of Cloquet and Clarence "Junie" (Ruth) Smith of Cromwell; and numerous brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and friends. Marge was preceded in death by her husband, George; son, Bernard; three brothers; and five sisters. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16th at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with the Reverend Heather E. Klason officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 - 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be :Phillip Ihrke, David Ihrke, Dan Ihrke, Jay Ihrke, Eric Ihrke, Heath Lawrenz, Aaron Fjerstad and Tyler Korpela. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kelly Schlaak, Kari Dilworth, Kim Vatland, Jill Harvey, Brooke Candahl, Heather Lawrenz, Hilary Walters, Jessica Ihrke, Erin Schwantz, Courtney Severson, Cady Severson, Ashley Mowers, Ariana Korpela and Elie Ihrke. Please visit Marge's personal memory page at www.hofffuneral.com, where you can share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.