Margaret Christine Thalken Cogil
Margaret Christine Thalken Cogil
Cedar Rapids
Margaret Christine Thalken Cogil passed away on Feb. 24, 2023. Visitation will take place at the Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel on Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. with a wake service at 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John XXIII Church on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 10 a.m. Cedar Memorial funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.
Marge is survived by six children, Christy of Albuquerque, N.M., Mike of West Branch, Iowa, Linda (Sam) of Fairfax, Iowa, Tim (Jana) of Littleton, Colo., Brian (Gail) of Gretna, Neb., and Craig (Roxanne) of Jamaica, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and her sister, Joan Cunningham of Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norm; and her parents, Hugh and Veronica Thalken.
Marge grew up on a farm near Ogallala, Neb. She survived polio at the age of ,3 leaving her with impaired mobility for the rest of her life, though she lived with such energy and vigor that most people never noticed. Following a year of college Marge married her sweetheart, Norm, and was whisked off to Anchorage, Alaska, where Norm was stationed in the FBI. Their further adventures brought them back to Nebraska where they raised their growing family and opened a business together.
Raising her six children was a source of immense pride and great accomplishment for Marge. As a mother she was mighty and full of wisdom, always challenging and empowering her children to live life to the fullest. Her children, and later her grandchildren, knew that her understanding ear, sage advice, abundant kindness and enduring love were always at the ready.
Marge demonstrated the same magic in all of her relationships. She had a beautiful smile, a kind heart and an indomitable spirit. In her final years when her ability to make words was waning, she could light up a room and make everyone feel special with her beaming smile or a gentle kiss on the hand.
Marge and Norm truly enjoyed living in the Meth-Wick community for the last 15 years.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses, aides and staff at the Woodlands at Meth-Wick and Hospice of Mercy for their wonderful care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any of the following: Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kan., Hospice of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Epilepsy Foundation or Meth-Wick. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.