Leila Marjorie ‘Marj’ Lund, age 93, formerly of Moville, Iowa, died at Miles City, Montana’s Holy Rosary Hospice surrounded by her family and loved ones on Sunday, March 29, 2015.
Marj was born in Rolfe, Iowa November 27, 1921, to Milo and May Ives. One of four sisters and six brothers, she attended school in Rolfe until the 8th grade when her family moved to Laurens, Iowa, where she would meet her love and future husband, Wayne Lund.
Marj always enjoyed staying busy and working. Upon graduating from school in 1938 she began working in Pocahontas, Iowa. In 1941, Marj and her younger sister, Dorothy, moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she took up a job with a bank. There were many stories of travel, including the time she and her sister Dorothy attempted to make their millions during WW2, only to end up living with “Mrs. Twitty” and eating bacon sandwiches.
After a brief geographical separation brought on by Wayne’s involvement in WW2, high school sweethearts, Marj and Wayne Lund were finally married on April 14, 1946 in Kansas City. They moved to Ames, Iowa, where their first son, Robert Leslie (1951), was born. The family then moved back to the area outside of Rolfe, Iowa, where their next two children would later be born: Donald Wayne (1954) and Arnold Milo (1958). It was in the spring of 1959 when the Lund’s moved to Moville, Iowa and finally set down lasting roots.
Marj and Wayne were members of the Moville Methodist Church where they both sang in the choir. Marj was President of the Women’s Club, a Cub Scout leader, an avid member of Flower Club – to say she was always an active member in the community would be an understatement. Each summer would find her helping out at the Woodbury County Fair; she even roped her granddaughter, Kym, and her friend, Megan, into helping at the pie booth during their summer visit to grandma and grandpa’s. (Editor’s note: “helping out” equals “eating most of the pie”)
Perhaps the most memorable part of the family home in Moville was Marj’s garden. At one time she had over 120 different plants and flowers blooming in the most colorful displays. Gardening, we’ve come to find out, is not genetic.
Along with her flowers you could always count on her kitchen containing something delicious. She usually had chocolate chip cookies ready when her kids would come home from school and, later in life, multiple goodies when the grandkids came to visit. She was busy and loved working with her hands, always sewing or crocheting something – scarves, caps, outfits and blankets for the family or a costume for the Woodbury Central Dance Team. She had a talent for creating pretty things, and she would share the things she created with many. Marj, according to her granddaughter, was “Martha Stewart before Martha Stewart.”
After Wayne passed (Jan. 3, 2002), Marj moved to Miles City, Montana, to be near Rob and Arne. She quickly made Miles City her home: attending the First United Method Church where she created lasting friendships among the Ladies Circle, keeping up on exercise, watching the Hawkeye games with Rob, attempting to teach her grandkids how to bake, and going to “work” at the Sacred Heart Catholic School where she much enjoyed her time. She knew no strangers, striking up a conversation with everyone and leaving as friends.
Marj was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Lund, her parents, Milo and May Ives, her brothers Jack Ives, Tom Ives, and Roger Ives, and sister- and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Dale Halquist.
Marj is survived by her sons: Robert Lund (Miles City, MT), Arnold Lund (Miles City, MT), and Donald Lund (North Liberty, IA); brothers and sisters: Burt (Pat) Ives, Dorothy (Bill) Green, Joyce (John) Williams (Sedalia, MO), Leonard (Norene) Ives (Cole Camp, MO), June Cox (Melrose, FL); four grandchildren: Robyn (Richmond) Warnke (Las Vegas, NV), Kasey (Rachael) Lund (Pullman, WA), Kymberly (Ryan) Lund (Missoula, MT), and Kenni Clouse (Seattle, WA); daughter-in-law and close friend, Karla Lund-Elder (Miles City, MT), one great-grandchild, Sophia Lund (Pullman, WA), and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be scheduled for a later date in both Miles City, Montana and Moville, Iowa. The family would like to thank the children and staff of Sacred Heart Catholic School and the nurses of Holy Rosary Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marj’s name to either association, both of which were near and dear to her heart. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Jerry Smith says
So sorry for your loss.
Dolores Steiner says
Will miss seeing her at Sacred Heart School cutting out the Box Tops coupons.
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Marge was a special lady who will be missed by many. God Bless
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Rob and family,
So sorry to hear about your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donnelle Millhollin says
To all of you. Marge was an amazing lady. we people from Iowa that move to MT always have a special bond. She was a sweet lady.having known her 30+ years she always remembered me with a smile.
Sandi & Mark Toennis says
What a wonderful lady she was! I will truly miss our weekly visits and tea while we worked. We considered her part of the Sacred Heart School family and she will be missed. Every time I look at a box top or soup label I will think of her fondly. All of you and Marj are in my thoughts and prayers.