Marjorie Koetter

Marjorie Elaine Owens (Berger) Koetter passed away at her home in McCook on Sunday, January 29, 2012 surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old.

Marge was born in Herndon, Kansas to Samuel Andrew and May (Weakley) Owens. She graduated from Trenton High School on May 24, 1949. She continued her education at Kearney State Teachers College receiving a teaching certificate. She taught in a rural school near Kearney for a year.

On June 1, 1950, she was united in marriage to Lloyd L. Berger. They made their home on the Berger homestead near Herndon where they raised their two daughters, Diana and Pamela. Marge graduated from the McCook Beauty College in 1961 and opened her own beauty shop, the Farmerette Salon. She retired after 34 years. She also worked for the US Census Bureau and was a Mary Kay Consultant. Lloyd preceded her in death in 1998.

She married William D. Koetter on July 7, 2001 at McCook. To this union seven more children would join her family, Joe, David, Greg, Brian, Ben, Valorie and Lorie. Marjorie most recently became a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She loved to sew, dance, and garden. She enjoyed the time spent with friends having coffee, her children and grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her father, Samuel Owens; husband Lloyd Berger; step-son, Rodney Koetter; and two brothers, Jim and Marvin Owens.

Survivors include her husband, William Koetter of McCook; two daughters, Pam and husband, Don Stuczynski of Herndon and Diana and husband, Jim Brunson, of Omaha; mother, May Owens of Canon City, CO; step-children, Joe Koetter and wife, Rose, and David Koetter of McCook, Greg Koetter and wife, Twila, of Albion, Brian Koetter and wife, Roxanne, of Grand Junction, CO, Ben Koetter and wife, Tera, of Seward, Valorie Lake and Lorie and husband, John Berry, all of McCook; two brothers, Maynard Owens and wife, Doris, of Red Cloud and Don Owens and wife, Sherry, of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Carolyn and husband, William Beitler, of Canon City, CO; sisters-in-law, Leona Owens, of Canon City, CO and Janet and husband, Leroy Maruhn, of Red Cloud; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 26 step-grandchildren, 20 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to the McCook or Rawlins County Ambulance Funds.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 1-6:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook. Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, February 2, 2012, 2:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook with Father Gary Brethour officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Cemetery, Herndon, Kansas.

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