Marvelle Lindau (Clark ) Leitgeb

Marvelle Lindau (Clark) Leitgeb, age 85, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Marvelle was born on May 27, 1933 in Wahoo, Nebraska to Edward Emanuel and Amanda Lindau Clark. Marvelle was the youngest of four children. Brothers Robert and Dean died as infants. Marvelle’s sister, Barbara Ann, was three years older. Her father Edward died in 1944 when Marvelle was 10 years old. Her mother Amanda was a homemaker until Edward’s death and then Amanda went to work - first as a nurse aide at the Wahoo Hospital and then for Christensen Drug. Marvelle and Barb helped around the house, including cooking, at an early age since her Mother worked.

Marvelle went to school in Wahoo at West Ward Elementary School, North Ward School for 7th and 8th grade, and Wahoo High School. Her favorite school subjects were Latin, Spanish and math.

Music was important to Marvelle. Beginning in elementary school, Marvelle took piano lessons and had recitals in the Wahoo Baptist Church. She started trumpet lessons in 6th grade then later switched to french horn when they needed more players. She played cello in the high school orchestra and french horn in the high school band. Both orchestra and band were after school activities. Marvelle decided she liked band better and gave up orchestra. At some point in time in high school, she stopped taking piano lessons and then later began to take organ lessons from the organ instructor at Luther College in Wahoo.

Marvelle earned money by babysitting. Her first job was working as a clerk at the Wahoo Bakery. She worked there until she graduated from high school. After high school, Marvelle went to Luther College for one year and studied journalism. During that time she worked part-time at Lucille’s Gift Shop in Wahoo. In the summer of 1952, after her first year in college, she went to work at the Ordinance Plant in Mead, Nebraska as a secretary. The Ordinance plant was busy with four load lines, supplying the Korean War. She liked making the money so she decided she didn’t want to go back to college. She stayed at the Ordinance Plant until it slowed down. She then worked at Nebraska Book in Lincoln doing secretarial work. Next she worked at McCabe’s Piano and Organ as a secretary and played the organ for customers. Then she worked at the Journal Star newspaper as a secretary and also did newspaper layouts. She was working at the Journal Star when she got married and quit after she had her first child. She briefly went back to work until the adoption of her second child. Sometime after that she gave organ lessons at Thompson’s Music Store and in her home.

Both Marvelle and her husband Bill grew up in Wahoo. She knew who he was all her life. The local kids hung out at Anderson Buick Pontiac. Marvelle and Bill met there and then started dating. Marvelle married William John Leitgeb on May 19, 1957 and moved to Lincoln that same year.

Marvelle and Bill had two boys who died as infants and adopted two girls. John Clark was born in 1959. Sue Ellen was adopted in 1961. Phillip Edward was born in 1963. Mary Jane was adopted in 1964.

Playing the organ has been a large part of Marvelle’s life. She was the church organist for a number of years until she moved to Lincoln. She played for choir practice, funerals and weddings. She played in a trio consisting of organ, banjo, and drums for the Senior Citizens dances held at the Auld Pavilion in Antelope Park. She played in another trio “Swingin’ Gently” for about 15 years. The trio played at clubs in Southeast Nebraska such as the Eagles, American Legion, and Elks Club. Marvelle played the organ as a volunteer at Clark Jeary Retirement Center for over 20 years. Marvelle continued playing the organ up until her death.

Marvelle loved to cook. She canned, made jelly and pickles, and baked desserts. Marvelle had a large cook book collection and read them all! She liked to talk about a new recipe she had made or saw on a tv cooking show.

Family was a large party of Marvelle’s life. Marvelle liked to hear what her five grandchildren: Nicole, Katie, Matt, Lara and Beth were doing. She loved to watch and spend time with her 10 great-grandchildren: Tori, Kimber, Millie, Brody, Cooper, Shayda, Skye, Greer, Cora and Dally.

Bill retired from Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph in1997 after 41 years of service. During retirement, Bill and Marvelle liked to work in the yard and travel. Marvelle was very fond of flowers. Some years there were a lot of flowers in the yard. They liked to go to Branson, MO and sometimes went three times each year. They went to Oregon and that was the first time Marvelle had seen the ocean. Marvelle’s favorite place was the House on the Rock in Wisconsin. They also enjoyed visiting the Barnum and Bailey Circus Museum in the Wisconsin Dells.

Marvelle loved to do crossword puzzles even up until her death. They subscribed to two newspapers so she had more puzzles to do. Marvelle liked to have her hair done every week. Bill and Marvelle liked to frequently eat lunch at the Hi-Way Diner.

Bill and Marvelle had a good marriage and loved each other very much. They would’ve been married 62 years later this month.

Marvelle was diagnosed with diabetes at age 65. Over the last several years, her health declined and she needed more care from Bill. Marvelle and Bill still lived in the house they bought in 1972. On Wednesday, May 1, Marvelle collapsed while leaving for the doctor as she had been ill for a few days. Paramedics and hospital staff were unable to revive her.

Marvelle said the happiest times in her life had been when she got married, when she adopted Sue and Jane, and when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born. Marvelle said she has had a happy life.

Preceded in death by sons: John and Phillip; sister Barbara; parents Amanda and Edward.

Survived by: husband of almost 62 years Bill; daughters: Sue Bade (Steve) and Jane Quiring (Roger); grandchildren: Nicole Bade Huckman, Katherine Bade Schutte (Tom), Matthew Bade (Anna), Lara and Beth Quiring and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm with family present from 2 to 4 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Funeral service: Monday, May 6, 2019 at 10:00 am, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. Burial: Monday, May 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Wahoo Sunrise Cemetery, County Road K, Wahoo, NE.

Memorials can be made to The American Heart Association.