Margaret Schweitzer, 89, of Ottumwa, formerly of Hedrick died on Thursday September 7, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics after suffering a sudden stroke.
She was born Margaret Ann Kautman December 14, 1933 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Albert C. and Elsie Maaskant Kautman. In High School she was a member of the Girls Athletic Association and Ushers Club. She graduated in 1951 from Ottumwa High School and was immediately employed at John Morrell and Co, where she worked her way up to be secretary for the Vice President. She was with the company for 7 years. She met Larry Schweitzer at a dance club at the YWCA and they married on March 31, 1957. After her marriage to Larry she became a stay at home farm wife and mother. They lived in rural Hedrick, IA until 2018 when they moved to Ottumwa. Larry and Margaret shared 65 married years together until his passing May 20, 2022.
Margaret was an attendee of East End Presbyterian Church in her youth, then St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hedrick after she married until it closed in May of 2006. She currently attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ottumwa. She enjoyed making the weekly church bulletins as well as making quilts with the church ladies. She was an avid piano player and played the organ for 30 years at church, weddings, and funerals as well as playing at two nursing homes in Ottumwa once a week for several years. She was also involved with the Dorcas Circle and TOPS.
Margaret loved her family, music, puzzles and cats. She enjoyed working with flowers both inside and out. After raising their children Margaret and Larry enjoyed many bus trips. Margaret enjoyed volunteering at the Wapello County Historical Museum. Margaret enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren’s activities, and absolutely adored her great-grandchildren. She was a huge supporter of and always proud of her family.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son Russell Schweitzer, and daughter Laura (Schweitzer) Spencer.
She leaves behind her sons: Gary of Moline, Illinois, and Randy (Jayne) Schweitzer of Hedrick. Her grandchildren: Brandi (Brad) Stevens of Hedrick, Jaclyn and Brian Schweitzer of Martinsburg, Lindsay Spencer of Ottumwa, and Brandon Spencer of Seattle, Washington, and great-grandchildren: Hunter and Makinzee Stevens of Hedrick.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, September 11th, at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 12th, at Reece Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society.
