Marjorie Camblin

Marjorie Camblin, 97, a long-time resident of Atlantic, died Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at Heritage House. Marjorie Eileen Earl was born on August 11, 1907 to John Cotes and Jessie Hillman Earl in Casey, IA. She attended the Casey, IA schools and was a graduate of Simpson College, Indianola, IA in 1929. As the representative of Simpson College, she had the honor of being the first queen of the Drake Relays. She taught high school English and physical education for one year in Greenfield and for four years in Atlantic. She was married to Wayne Camblin in 1934. Women teachers could not be married at that time, so Marj stepped down but she continued to substitute and do volunteer work in the community and in her church, the Atlantic United Church of Christ. She was a church organist for 40 years and also served at various times as choir director, Sunday School teacher and as a member of the church council. For a number of years, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Hospital. She also served on the board that started the Atlantic Wee Care Center. She was active on the Cass County Arts Council and for thirty years was a member and dedicated worker in the Atlantic branch of the Iowa Town and Country YWCA which had units in many towns throughout the state. She served two terms as state president of the Iowa Town and Country YWCA. Marj was a member of A.F. P.E.O. and O.O.P. Club. In 1984, Simpson College honored her as a recipient of its Alumni Achievement Award. Marj enjoyed reading, writing and gardening. Before Essential Tremor made working with her hands difficult, she also loved to paint and sew. In spite of the tremor, she spent many hours at her manual typewriter making records of family history, putting together scrapbooks on a variety of subjects, faithfully writing notes of encouragement and keeping records of all correspondence she received. She especially enjoyed entertaining international guests who visited the USA to learn about the YWCA. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her survivors include sons, Robert and wife Judy, Bruce and wife Yvonne, all of Atlantic; three granddaughters, Cathy and husband Cary Pierce of Kechi, KS, Ann and her partner Michelle Bates of Davenport, IA and Jennifer Eileen and husband Chuck Larson of Cedar Rapids, IA; two great-grandsons, Nicholas and Evan Pierce; two step-great-granddaughters, Amanda and Meridyth Bates; one nephew, Tom Camblin and wife Bev of Frazier Park, Ca and devoted friend Paul Epperly and wife, Chris of Lady Lake, FL. Preceding her in death were her husband, Wayne, in 1991; her parents and one sister, Lois Cummings.Funeral Information