Marjorie (Ault) Septer Hargens

Marjorie Ann Ault Septer Hargens, our beloved Matriarch, went home to heaven on Monday, November 23, 2020. She died of natural causes under the care of Wesley Life Hospice and Steve, Jenna and Marilyn at Steve and Marilyn’s home. She was 96 years, 4 months and 13 days young and was quite appropriately described by a dear friend as “a force to be reckoned with!” She was an inspiration to many for nearly a century, and will be missed immensely.

Due to the unprecedented risk of Covid-19 at this time, there will be a private family burial with appropriate safety measures. Please visit Marjorie’s page at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com and at the bottom of her obituary click on view live stream to view her service. A Celebration of her Life will be held in 2021, when it is safe to gather and remember Marge. Memorials can be directed to the family for future designation, West Des Moines Christian Church, or Wesley Life, who blessed us beyond words.

Marge was born July 10, 1924, on the family farm near Elkhart, Iowa. She was the 6th (and last surviving) of eight children born to Ross and Hazel (Stowe) Ault: Harold "Hod”; John Arthur “Art”; Donald “Dick”; Lucille (Pfister); Algaretta (Kiefer Beeler); Kathryn Lavonne “Bonnie” (Parmenter); and Billy. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Karl “Nit” Hargens in 1982; and former husband Joseph E. “Joe” Septer in 1993 and their daughter Cathy who lived two days in May of 1949.

Marge is survived and will be greatly missed by her 5 children: Joe Jr. (Missouri); MaryAnn King (Arizona); Jim (and Pam); Marilyn (and Steve Coleman); and John (and Susan). She was an immensely loved and loving grandmother and was so proud of her fourteen grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She is also survived by Nit’s 5 children: Terry (Tammy); Pam (Mike Centarri); Tom (Francine); Lonny (Mary); Dawn Ritchison (and their children and grandchildren) whom she dearly loved.

Marge lived and loved well! In addition to the aforementioned family, she has countless dear friends and “adopted” kids/family whom she deeply loved. (Too many to list – you know who you are!) She loved angels, antiques, bears, butterflies, and fashion/jewelry/shopping and gifting. Marge always wore an angel pin on her shoulder, and loved to coordinate her jewelry and accessories with her outfits and shoes. She was quite practical, yet a woman of great style and flair. Marge grew up during the Depression and was a huge proponent of “use it up, wear it out, pass it on, make do, or do without.” Growing up on the farm in small town Iowa, she learned at an early age to work hard and play hard, and to cook and can delicious food. Her baking, cooking, and catering skills were legendary and enjoyed by many! After retiring from Penn-Dixie Industries in 1981, she spent many years caring for the Coleman grandkids and also as Kitchen Hostess at West Des Moines Christian Church. She was an avid reader all her life, and loved to share her books and love of books.

Marge was grateful for her blessings each and every day, and was a woman of great faith, intelligence, grace, compassion and determination. She lived her faith by serving, blessing and giving. Even on a very tight budget her generosity was well known and appreciated. Her service to the residents at Valley West Apartments since 2001, West Des Moines Christian Church, and many social clubs and fraternal organizations (such as Rebekah and other Lodges) was extraordinary. In 1990, she was voted a Des Moines Register “Neighbor of the Week” and finalist for “Neighbor of the Year” for her service to the community. Marge worked hard all her life, and was highly regarded at Penn-Dixie Industries and previous employers such as Samuel Bingham and Standard Securities, as an excellent secretary who also provided amazing lunches and left-overs. She had a great sense of humor and loved to socialize, have fun and travel. She loved baseball and basketball, Word Finds, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, Home and Garden TV and cooking shows. She loved the Chicago Cubs, and was elated to live long enough to see them win the World Series in 2016! In her younger years she was quite a singer, piano player, and dancer. She also excelled at and enjoyed sewing and embroidery. Marge loved entertaining and creating beautiful parties with fabulous food and décor, especially at Christmas (with her renowned repertoire of dozens of cookies and candies)! She made the most delicious and creative birthday and wedding cakes (and desserts of all kinds). She was the “Queen of Christmas” and the original “Martha Stewart”, only better, because it was personalized and created with love.

Most of all she loved her faith, family and friends. We will all miss her greatly, but are comforted in knowing that someday we will be together again in heaven where there are no more tears or pain.