In Memory of Marjorie I. Lantz

Marjorie I. Lantz, age 91, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2019, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2019, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Marjorie Irene Lantz was born July 5, 1927, in Crawford County, Iowa to William H. and Gertrude S. (Schneider) Asmus. She was the third of nine children. Marjorie was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran faith. She attended Schleswig High school and graduated Valedictorian of the class of 1945. After high school she continued her education at AIB College of Business in Des Moines.

After working in Des Moines and Denison she married John F. Lantz from Ida Grove. Marjorie and John farmed in Ida and Crawford counties. In addition to raising six children, she was an expert seamstress, gardener, farm manager, and had an upholstery business.  Marjorie always had room in her heart and at her table for one more neighbor, friend, or child.

Margie served on the Crawford County Extension for several years. She volunteered over 2500 service hours at the Horn Memorial gift shop. Hundreds of newborns around the world wore caps she knitted. She was active in Ladies Aide and the Quilting Circle at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. Marjorie enjoyed spending time with friends bowling and playing cards. She later married Elmer Gierstorf from Charter Oak. 

Marjorie lived a life full of close connections with friends and family which she deeply loved. She was an immensely generous presence in many lives.

Marge is survived by her children Cynthia (Larry) Mogolov of Overland Park, KS, John W. Lantz of Charter Oak, IA, Georgia (Kim) Stern of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary (Joel) Tyler of Cushing, IA, Jill (Brian) Schultz of Sioux Falls, SD and Jeri Lantz (Tom Daley) of Check, VA; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; sisters Marilyn Ernst and Shirley Kastner; brothers-in-law Leonard Ernst and Wesley Berg; sisters-in-law Vera Stewart and Ruth Benson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Lantz; her parents William and Gertrude Asmus; two brothers; four sisters; and her second husband Elmer Gierstorf.