Marjorie Fiscus

Marjorie Lee Fiscus, the daughter of Harold and Marian (Conant) Curtis, was born December 5th, 1933 on the family farm near Churdan.

Marj attended school and graduated from the Churdan High School in 1951. She met her future husband Gilbert (Dwayne) Fiscus at a baseball game in Farlin where she was impressed by his black 1948 Studebaker Land Cruiser. Marj had just gotten her driver’s license and persuaded Dwayne to let her drive his new car and it was the first of many dates. They were married on June 1, 1952 in the First Baptist Church in Churdan. Marj worked as a receptionist for Dr. Phillip Lohr in the Churdan doctor’s office while Dwayne was serving in the US Army during the Korean War in the 101st airborne unit. Three daughters were later born, Sheryl, Shonda, and Sharla. Marjorie was a very social person who truly enjoyed family and friends and keeping herself busy. Marj had great pride in her small town of Churdan. She kept busy as a saleswoman for Fuller Brush and Avon for over 45 years. Dwayne and Marj enjoyed many winters in Arizona where Marj kept active with shopping and various activities at the clubhouse including choir, crafts, and Mexican dominoes. Marjorie was always young at heart.

Her favorite things were shopping to buy gifts for family and friends, camping at the lake, the Clay County Fair, reading and time at the library, listening to music and live concerts, taking pictures with her disposable camera, sending letters and post cards to family and friends, and other social activities and clubs.

The most beloved and treasured people in Marj’s life were her four grandchildren: Emily, Brian, Alicia, and Tricia and her great granddaughter Clara May.

Marjorie died on April 13 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, following a hard fought battle from a brain injury after falling at home.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dwayne, three daughters; Sheryl Rice of Jefferson, Shonda (Bill) Crooks of Boone, and Sharla (Brad) Paup of Jefferson, four grandchildren; Emily (Tim) Rhoades of Polk City, Brian Rice of Des Moines, Alicia Paup (Jeremy Draves) of Jefferson, Tricia Paup (Dustin Owens) of Jefferson, one great granddaughter, Clara Rhoades and another great grandchild on the way. Sisters and brothers in-law, Lois Curtis, Dwight (Rheta) Fiscus, Dean (Rozetta) Fiscus, Delbert (Marilyn) Fiscus, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends including many grand dogs. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Harold & Marian (Conant) Curtis, brother Charles Curtis, and son-in-law Duane Rice.

Funeral services were held April 17, at 10:30 a.m. from the First Baptist Church in Churdan with Pastors David Smiley and Bobby Palmer officiating. Burial was made in the Highland Township Cemetery in Churdan. Musical selections “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden” were sung by soloist, Danille Curtis and accompanied by organist, Rochelle Guess. A pray service was held at 7:00 p.m. April 16 at the Brown Funeral Home.

Serving as casket bearers were Stan Curtis, Kent Curtis, Travis Curtis, Alan Fischer, Alex Fisher, Christopher Fischer, Jack Hinners and Tim Hinners.  Honorary bearers were Emily Rhoades, Brian Rice, Alicia Paup, Tricia Paup, Tim Rhoades, Clara Rhoades, Jeremy Draves and Dustin Owens.
Brown Funeral Home, Jefferson.