Marigene Lennon

Marigene Lennon, 96, of Barnum died quietly, surrounded by her family on August 24, 2021. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 7th from 4:00-7:00 at Laufersweiler's Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 8th at 10:00 at Holy Trinity Church with Msg. Kevin McCoy officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Barnum. With Covid 19 the family requests that friends and family please wear a mask. Marigene was born on July 13, 1925 to May and Art Thoma of Clare Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Thomas Lennon. Marigene and Tommy are survived by their five children, Linda Henke (David Bristol) of Santa Fe New Mexico; Sandy Wilke (Kurt) of Fort Dodge; Sue Auten (Jerry) of Norwich, New Hampshire; Tim Lennon (Mary Stanley) of Barnum; and Lori Panther (Marty) of Iowa City. Marigene and Tommy have 10 grandchildren: Walt Auten; Andrew Henke; Stephanie Lennon-Peterson, Patrick, Scott, and Tyler Lennon; Emily and Thomas Panther; and Christopher, Jonathan, and Benjamin Wilke. They also have 11 great grandchildren: Mack Auten; Theo and Ryker Chaltry, Aiden, Ashton and Alivia Henke; Addison and Hailey Lennon; Tommy Lennon; Leif Wilke and Sophia Wilke. Marigene is preceded in death by her siblings: Cletus Thoma, Jerome Thoma, Lucy Heun, Cecelia Witte and Arthur Thoma. Marigene graduated from Gilmore City High School in 1943 and then attended State Teachers' College to receive her teaching credentials. She began her career as a teacher in a one-room school house and taught for three years. Throughout her life, she talked frequently about how much she loved her work with children as well as her continual worries about keeping the leaky building warm enough in winter with the old wood stove that provided all the heat. Marigene married Thomas Lennon on November 17, 1948 and assumed the role of farm woman, a career dramatically shaping the rest of her life. Few people understand the importance of farm women in the Midwest. Marigene Lennon was a consummate example of the rich and demanding role of women partners in farm life. She was a full partner to Tommy, helping to plan the farm work, keeping the books, driving endless miles in search of parts for broken machinery, and taking the wheel of the tractor or truck whenever needed. Every morning at 5:30 the two sat at the kitchen table with the old drip coffee pot and reviewed the day's agenda. At that table they discussed the issues of the day-- surviving the latest drought or hail storm, the flooding of the forty, the blind calf, or how to make sure there was enough money for the tractor payment. One of Marigene's real passions was gardening, and the home place was filled with burgeoning beds of flowers and even larger spaces filled with fruits and vegetables. As she aged, each evening she boarded her fancy golf cart and toured the gardens--pulling a weed there, picking a few ripe tomatoes, checking the fruit trees. Frequently Gizmo, her faithful companion joined her unless one of the kids, grandkids or great grandkids was home. Everyone loved the Grandma Golf Cart Tour. Marigene was above all else an amazing caretaker. It was not unusual to find her caring for a winter born calf next to the kerosene stove in the kitchen or a box of chicks under a heat light. But her great love has always been her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. With all of the other responsibilities she assumed, her priority started with ensuring her family's children had what they needed and also had some fun. She bought mountains of books and read stories to generations of children. She played board games and croquet and softball, joined children on the swings, made a multitude of carved pumpkins, birthday cakes, and doll clothes, sat through endless performances, and always made those involved certain they were the brightest, most wonderful children in the world. Marigene has left here on earth a network of people committed to improving the world, no matter what their role. Her powerful example of bringing the best of yourself to your family, your vocation, your church and your community shines into all of our futures. We have been blessed by her presence. Marigene's family wish to offer a special thanks to the staff of Hospice and the Marian Home, whose gentle concern and ministering made her final days a little easier. In lieu of flowers memorials may be left to Holy Trinity Church or to Hospice of Fort Dodge. Visitation Tue, Sep 7, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Wed, Sep 8, 2021 at 10:00 am Holy Trinity Church 2501 6th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501