Marie Rohm

Marie Rohm, age 91, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, January 29, 2010, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 1, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Steve Jacobsen presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00-5:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 31, 2010, the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, Iowa. There will be a VFW Ladies Auxiliary service at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon. Marie Rose (Kastner) Rohm was born on October 8, 1918, the daughter of Louis and Rosa (Lettner) Kastner, near Kiester, MN. Marie was baptized at the age of seven, along with her sister, Lilli, on the family farm on September 6, 1925. She was confirmed on July 31, 1935 in Kiester, MN. Marie grew up on southern Minnesota farms, alongside her five brothers and sisters. She participated heavily in farm work, cooking and child care and enjoyed it all. She moved to Decorah and married Erling Rohm on March 27, 1938, and to this union, one daughter was born, Virginia “Jeanie”. Marie worked at Montgomery Wards and in the Winneshiek County Assessor’s office for many years. She and Erling enjoyed friends, family, gardening, going fishing and playing cards. Marie was an avid volunteer with the Girls Scouts, serving as a leader and president. She also was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Decorah. Marie was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was also a confirmation mentor to Scott Peake, enjoying a long friendship with his entire family. Marie’s survivors include her daughter: Jeanie (Wilbur) Wilkens, St. Joseph, MN. Two granddaughters: Terena Wilkens, St. Peter, MN and Tammy (Peter) Mitchell, Minneapolis, MN. One sister: Lilli Vorse, Council Bluffs, IA. One brother: Robert Kastner, Jordan, MN; along with several beloved nieces, nephews and friends in Decorah and elsewhere. Marie was preceded in death by her parents: Louis and Rosa (Lettner) Kastner. Her husband: Erling Rohm on November 22, 1997. Her grandson: Lonnie Wilkens, who died as an infant. One sister: Anne Heston. Two brothers: Albert and John Kastner.