Marge Solem

Marge Solem, age 82, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at the Gundersen Health System in LaCrosse, WI. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2013, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. David Sorenson and Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Friends may call from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. It was Marge’s wishes to have her casket closed. Margaret (Marge) Tracey Solem was born April 4, 1931 in Remsen, Iowa to James and Helen (Thiel) Tracey. Marge graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Remsen. She was united in marriage to Dwendell (Dusty) Solem on September 7, 1950 in Remsen, Iowa. Together they raised seven children, spending the majority of their years in Laurens before retiring to Spirit Lake and moving to Decorah, Iowa in 1997.Marge loved to sew and quilt. She took great joy in making dresses for her girls and quilts for her family and church. Marge was a great cook known for her famous rye bread. Other interests included golfing, gardening, reading and a good game of cards. Marge was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church where she enjoyed circles, quilting and volunteering. Marge was generous with her time. She rarely missed a birthday, anniversary or special occasion, sending cards and letters to all her family and many dear friends. Marge loved her family above all and her family feels so blessed to have had such a great mother. Marge is survived by her seven children: Sandy (Ron) Stover of Decorah, Mary (Kim) Glock of Decorah, Sue (Dave) Crotty of Hillsboro, OR, David (Julie) Solem of Pasco, WA, Nancy (Steve) Motkowski of Marinette, WI, Trudy (Randy) Keller of Novato, CA and Peggy (Bruce) Simpson of Sioux City, IA. She was a grandma to Brandon (Megan) and Tyler Simpson, Maggie Motkowski, Alex and Jackson Keller, Tracey (Travis) Casey, and Alison Stover. She was a great grandma to Harper Casey. She was a step-grandma to Chad and Daren Tolley, Jason Motkowski and Travis Grossi, and great step-grandma to Julie Rose, Brandi, and Kaylin Tolley, Tony and Gabe Tolley, and Lily Higgins. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Paula Tracey, Dusty Solem, cousins, nephews and nieces and many special friends. Marge was preceded in death by her parents, James and Helen (Thiel) Tracey; brothers Dick and Dale (Lois) Tracey; in-laws Albert and Clara Solem, Norman and Sylvia Holthe, and Lew and Laura Solem and nephews Arvid Holthe and Mark Tracey. The family wishes to thank all the people at Aase Haugen Nursing Home for the loving care they gave Marge this last year. Marge’s love and kindness will be greatly missed by her family and friends. “Seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day.”