Visitation and Funeral Service
Sat., March 11, 2017,after 9:30 AM
Saturday, March 11, 2017, 11:00 AM
Zion Lutheran Church
Manning, Iowa
Reverend Jonathan Conner, Officiating
Music
“Just As I Am”
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
“I’m But A Stranger Here”
“Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”
Timothy Conner, Organist
Casket Bearers
Bret Halbur Joshua Kusel
Jason Kusel Joel Dill
Brad Vitiritto Brad Benton
Interment
Manning Cemetery
Manning, Iowa
Marjorie Ellen Kuhn Kusel was born October 28, 1923 in the home of her parent’s Shelby County, Iowa, farm. She was the fourth of six children born to Wilhelmine Simon and Ernst Kuhn. Marge was baptized into the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning. She attended country school until the age of 14 when she made the difficult transition to school in Manning where she graduated with the class of 1941. She was an avid scrap booker through the years preserving information about her class activities, reunions and its members, as well as books about her family history. They are books that gave her great pleasure in her last years. Growing up, she and her siblings all worked together on the farm helping inside and outside the home. Following graduation at the age of 17, she taught country school at Ewoldt No. 1 for two years. On December 11, 1943 Marge was united in marriage to Melvin D. Kusel. They were a farming couple and made their home on Parker’s Corner on the northeast edge of Manning throughout their 59 years of marriage. A farm wife in the truest sense of the word, Marge helped with many tasks and especially the hog operation. She and Melvin were blessed with two children, a son, Alan and a daughter, Karla. Additionally, they provided a home and guidance for a grandson Richard (Rick). Marge was a devoted servant of her Lord. She taught Sunday school for over 40 years, taught vacation Bible school, and sang in the choir. She was a member of Dorcas and, in later years, served on Altar Guild. Her favorite hymn was Heaven is my Home, stating it will always be my home. Following the death of her husband in 2002, she moved to an apartment and later to the Manning Plaza where she was surrounded by family photos in her room which gave her pleasure. She remained an avid reader and loved the challenge of the daily crosswords. Her greatest joy was visits from her grandchildren. After several weeks of failing health, Marge died at the Manning Plaza on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the age of 93 years, 4 months and 8 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin Kusel, son Alan Kusel, grandson Philip Richmond and siblings: Ruth Metcalf, Robert Kuhn, Helen Weible and Arthur Kuhn. Marge is survived by a daughter, Karla Richmond of Omaha, NE, and a daughter-in-law Pam Kusel of Manning; grandson Rick (Jessica) Kusel of Windsor, CO.; granddaughters, Amy Benton of Manning, and Beth (Brad) Vitiritto of Ankeny, IA; great-grandchildren, Joshua (Brittany) Kusel of Akron, CO; Jason (Lauren) Kusel of Grand Junction, CO; Joselyn (Joel) Dill of Frederick, CO; Luke Richmond of Omaha; NE; Miranda, McKenna and Mason Benton of Manning; Jarrett Vitiritto of Ankeny, IA; great-great-grandchildren, Brya and Jax Kusel; Nolan, Trevor and Elise Dill; and August Kusel; brother Orrin (Kay) Kuhn of West Union, IA; sister-in-law Delores Kuhn of Manning; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
