Margaret Mae Dau, age 87, died Sunday, December 4, 2022, in Davenport, Iowa. A Christian Prayer Service led by Pastor Rick McGough will be held at noon, Saturday, December 10th at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Interment will be at Davenport Memorial Park immediately following the service.
Margaret Mae Blumer was born August 11, 1935, to Fridolin Fridolius Blumer and Mabel Mae (Heath) Blumer, at their home in Long Grove, Iowa. After graduating from Central DeWitt High School, Marge was employed at French and Hecht, Davenport. She met the only love of her life, Raymond Dau after he returned from service in the Korean War. They were married September 4, 1954, at Long Grove Christian Church. Shortly after, Marge and Ray started their family and purchased their only family home in Davenport.
Marge was especially proud of her Swiss heritage, and fondly recalled her father yodeling while they worked in the garden. The English side of her family came to Massachusetts Bay Colony on the Winthrop Fleet. Her English great grandmother grew prized roses in 1920, and shoots from those roses still grow in Marge’s flower bed.
Also passed down generationally are family recipes. Marge was an exquisite cook and baker. From her summertime potato salad to the holiday feasts, she always created quite a spread. Notables are the Thanksgiving turkey with sweet prune and apple stuffing, Christmas cookies and Angel Food cake, and New Year’s oyster stew. However, Marge’s holiday pies, of which she made a couple dozen every year, were Blue Ribbon! She made holidays extra special for her family, but Christmas was her favorite. Every year, the house was decorated inside and out, the presents thoughtfully selected and wrapped, Christmas dinner lovingly prepared, and church services attended.
Marge’s life was centered on her husband and their three daughters. She loved to target practice with Ray, and often bragged about being a better shot than her hubby. Marge loved football, and on television, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers were her favorite teams to root for. However, she especially loved that for several years, Ray purchased seasonal tickets to their beloved Iowa Hawkeye football games. It is said that Marge rooted with the best of them, and that she hollered so loudly at a certain former Michigan coach, those around her were sure he could hear her amongst the crowd! Fond memories and a lot of laughter also came from family vacations which lasted from three to ten weeks trekking across the US, first boondocking with a tent and later in a 15-foot travel trailer—with little girls! After their daughters grew up, Marge and Ray purchased a motor home and hit the road antiquing.
In the early 1970s, Marge and Ray discovered the thrill of the hunt at garage sales, thrift stores, and antique stores. They started their own business and sold their wares at flea markets and malls for over thirty years, retiring in early 2000.
Marge’s grandkids remember all the times she took them to garage sales, feeding them donuts and letting them sleep in the backseat! They also recall fun times with their grandma and grandpa at Burger King, Hardee’s, and Riefe’s. Her daughters continue all the family traditions with their kids and grandkids from recipes to camping, building even more memories to be cherished.
With all the memories and fun times, the most important aspect of Marge’s life was her love of the Lord. She grew up at Long Grove Christian Church, was a Presbyterian while her girls were young, and transferred to the Assemblies of God in the 1980s. She and Ray attended New Life Fellowship in Moline for several years until mobility issues then Covid kept them home. However, husband and wife continued daily devotion and prayer for their family. Family members continue hold fast to the faith that Marge and Ray modelled for them.
During her last days, Marge’s grandson Todd, who narrowly escaped death himself, visited his grandma. She told him she had a good life, and he assured her that she was going to the most peaceful place imaginable. Todd prayed her last prayer with her minutes before she was intubated.
Margaret Mae Dau is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Ray, three daughters, Diana (Michael) Smith, Gail Troutwine, and Peggy Sue (Kevin) Rounds; grandchildren Todd Smith, Erin (Corey Johnson) Smith, Ashley (Heath) Hollis, Christian and Derek Troutwine, and Joshua Rounds; and great grandchildren Aiden Smith, Lucas Smith (fiancé Mia), Jacob Johnson, Drake and Trystan Hollis, and Adelynn Grace Troutwine. Verle Dau, brother-in-law, Sheila Sindt, sister-in-law, several nieces and nephews, Mark Troutwine, and best friends Brad and Diane also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings (in birth order) Rose Anna, Fred, George, Elsie, Mary Jane, Stephan, Ralph, and John.
Margaret Mae Dau, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother is now in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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