Marjorie Ellen Emerson Kroeger died at 2:28 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Hillsboro.
A funeral ceremony was held on Saturday, July 18, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Nokomis. Interment was held in Nokomis Cemetery, next to her beloved husband, Wayne. Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Kroeger was born on Nov. 18, 1933, on a farm north of Toledo, IA, to Leon and Mae (Ebersole) Emerson. The youngest of three children, she was baptized on June 10, 1934, at the United Brethren Church. She graduated from Toledo High School on May 18, 1951. After graduation, she was the receptionist at the Farm Bureau Office and later at the Light Company, both in Toledo.
She was united in marriage to Wayne V. Kroeger on Aug. 2, 1953, at the U.B. Church. They made their first home at Indianola, IA, where he was a student at Simpson College. She worked for a lawyer until the birth of her twin daughters, Vickie and Christy. Christy lived two and a half days. A son, Bill, was also born while they lived in Indianola. She was confirmed May 27, 1956, at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.
After Mr. Kroeger’s graduation in June of 1956, they moved to Stuart, IA, where he taught school for three years. A son, Rick, was born while they lived there. In 1959, they moved to Nokomis, where he taught school. They joined Trinity Lutheran Church. A daughter, Sandy, was born several years later.
After her children were all in school, she took a part-time job at an insurance company and later worked ten years as a bookkeeper at a local quarry. After spending several years at home, she went back to work as the bookkeeper at the local newspaper, retiring in May of 1990.
Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Kroeger enjoyed being with family and friends, and also took several trips abroad. She also joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Kroeger is survived by her children, Vickie (Tom) Detmers of Nokomis, Wm. “Bill” Kroeger of Nokomis, Rick Kroeger of Ramsey and Sandy (John) Charnisky of Witt; grandchildren, Kris (Erica) Detmers, Erin (JJ) Sabol, Rachelle (Craig) Reincke, Josh Kroeger, Christy (Chris) Boggs and Broc Kroeger; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Roberta Wallace of Clayton, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; infant daughter, Christy; and brother, Roger Emerson.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Montgomery County Cancer Association.
