Margaret Geraldine Owens age 89 passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Margaret was born June 21, 1929 in Colfax, Iowa the daughter of Clifford and Ann (Smith) Meckley. She grew up in the Colfax area where she also attended and graduated from high school. After high school she continued her education at Drake University inDes Moines and then at Wartburg College in Waverly. Margaret married David Owens March 23, 1951 in Colfax. She first taught in the rural schools of Jasper County for four years. In 1961 Margaret and Dave moved to Readlyn and she began teaching in the Wapsie Valley Community School system. She was first a kindergarten teacher in Readlyn for six years. Margaret then spent the next 25 years teaching sixth grade in Fairbank retiring in 1992. After retiring she was a substitute teacher for a number of years. Margaret is survived by her husband Dave, her son Mark and his wife Becky Owens of Fairbank along with two granddaughters; Kara and Gina Owens. She is also survived by one brother, Robert Meckley of Eagan, MN, two sisters; Joann Stiffler of Laporte City and Susan (Donald) Grove of Fort Pierce, FL, two sisters-in-law; Louise Meckley of Fort Meyers, FL and Alice Meckley of Prairie City, IA. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Raymond and Gene Meckley and a sister-in-law Marjorie Meckley.
Funeral Services: 10:30 am Thursday December 13, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbank.
Visitation: 4:00-6:00 pm Wednesday December, 12 2018 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and for one hour before services at the church.
Inurnment: at a later date in the Fairbank Cemetery.
Memorials: may be directed to the family.
Condolences for Margaret G. Owens
What a great lady! Such an honor to know her and to have been her pastor for a few years! I know you all have treasured memories of her. Think of all the lives she touched through the years. Such a gift! Love to her family, you took good care of her! God’s love and peace from Rev. Mary and Fritz.
Sending our condolences at this very difficult time. Margaret always had a smile for everyone. Will definitely miss her.
Margaret was such a special lady and a wonderful friend who inspired so many. She will be so dearly missed. Our warmest thoughts and prayers are with you, Dave, Mark, Becky and family.
Much love to you~~Ob and Dyette
Our prayers and hugs go out to the family. Margaret’s smile and kindness will always hold a special place in our heart. Larry and Vicki
My symapthies to the family. Your retired Schwans man, Ron Parmley
Rest in peace Margaret.
What an amazing woman. She was the person that made me fall in love with reading. Every day she would read to our class after recess… 35 years later it still brings back fond memories. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Melissa
What a wonderful person and teacher. She was my sixth grade teacher. I remember struggling with reading and she took me under her wing and helped me tremendously. My grades improved substantially, not only in her class but throughout junior high, high school and college. Over the years, I’ve been asked about that one teacher that had a profound impact and “Mrs. Owens” has always been that teacher for me. She will always hold a special place in my heart. God bless her.