Margaret Taylor

Margaret Taylor, 97, of Cumberland, Iowa, passed away Friday, August 3, 2018, at Caring Acres Nursing and Rehab in Anita, Iowa.

Margaret was born on December 2, 1920, daughter of Frank H. and Katherine Myers Osen, on the family farm, one mile north and one mile west of Anita, Iowa, where she grew up. Being the youngest of nine children (she had seven brothers and one sister) she was known to be extremely social and competitive. The country school she attended through eighth grade was located on her father’s property and her older sister was her teacher for a short time. She graduated from Anita High School in 1938. Following graduation, Margaret traveled to New Jersey to help her brother and family and while there she met her future husband, Elwood.

On May 2, 1942, she was united in marriage to J. Elwood Taylor in New Egypt, New Jersey. Following their marriage, they remained in New Egypt where she did clerical work at the Fort Dix Army Base. In 1947 they moved to Menlo, Iowa, to be closer to family, and ten years later moved to Dallas Center where Margaret was employed for seventeen years in the Auto License Department at the Dallas County Courthouse. In 1985 the couple made Cumberland their home and enjoyed their retirement.

Faith was very important to her and she was a member of the Cumberland United Methodist Church, where she dearly loved attending and served as treasurer. The gift of hospitality was evident in almost everything Margaret did. She was continuously inviting friends and even strangers into their home to share her homemade cooking and tasty baked goods. She was never happier than when visiting and being with others. A stranger never exited her home. Rather they often became valued friends and kept in touch for years after. If her guests happened to be card players, the evening generally was completed by a lively game of Pinochle or similar entertainment.

Margaret’s great gift of writing, inherited from her mother, maintained many relationships for decades. Throughout her life Margaret loved to go to the mailbox to find responses to her letters. Without question her quilted masterpieces shall be cherished treasures to her family. With the help of her next-door neighbor, many beds have been adorned with exceptional creativity and skill.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Mary Nielsen of Cedar Falls, IA; son, Joel (Merry) Taylor of Colorado Springs, CO; five grandchildren, Annelie (Matt) Heinen of Cedar Falls, IA; Zachary (Kim) Nielsen of Madison, WI; Kelly (Erin) Blakesley of Denver, CO; Joy (Zack) Rogers of Lafayette, CO; and Holly (Kelly) Taylor of Broomfield, CO; and fourteen great-grandchildren, Juliana, Alexandra, and Toby Jace Heinen; Taylor, Autumn, Emery, and Mya Nielsen; Noelle, Aidan, and Sophia Rogers; Tatum and Archer Blakesley; and Jesse and Noah Taylor.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elwood; son, John David; grandson, Isaac Rogers; and her siblings.

Open visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held during a luncheon in the church fellowship hall on Friday.

Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 10, 2018, in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Menlo, Iowa. Following services at the cemetery a memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cumberland, with Pastor Casey Pelzer officiating.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Margaret's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Margaret Taylor

BORN
December 2, 1920 - Anita, Iowa

DIED
August 3, 2018 - Anita, Iowa
At the age of 97 years, 8 months and 1 day

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
12:00 p.m. August 10, 2018
United Methodist Church - Cumberland, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Casey Pelzer

PIANIST
Leta Gerlock

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“It Is Well With My Soul”
by the Congregation #377

“How Great Thou Art”
by Annelie Heinen and Zachary Nielsen

“Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song”
by Mary Nielsen

“Because He Lives”
by the Congregation #364

INTERMENT
10:00 a.m.
Rose Hill Cemetery - Menlo, Iowa

Memorials may be made to the
Cumberland United Methodist Church

Margaret’s family invites you to join them immediately
following the service for lunch in the fellowship hall.