Marjorie Jean Wakefield

Marjorie Jean Wakefield of West Des Moines died on June 15, 2026, from age-related causes. Born in the Roaring Twenties and raised during the Great Depression, Margie came of age during World War II and then married and raised her own family during the post-war Baby Boom. And that was just the first half of her life! She was 101 years of age at her death.

Margie was born on October 28, 1924, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She was the only child of Swedish American parents -- Margit Elsa Sofia (Johnson) Kalmen and Carl Napoleon Kalmen. Her father, a Saint Paul police officer and musician, left the family when she was very young. Margie was raised by her mother with assistance from her maternal grandparents and other extended family.

Margie was an honor roll student, graduating from Johnson High School in 1943. She began her working career at West Publishing Company providing secretarial support to three editors. She later served as executive secretary to one of them, Harvey Reid, when he became the company’s president. This position introduced Margie to Mr. Reid’s many business guests, including a young Richard Nixon.

Wallace Wakefield, a handsome Navy veteran, won Margie’s heart and they married in 1947. Wally’s work required a relocation to West Des Moines in 1957. Despite some initial reservations about leaving the Twin Cities for the windswept Iowa prairies, the young couple and their two daughters quickly settled into a brand-new house in an idyllic neighborhood on Meadow Lane. A third daughter filled out the family in 1958.

Margie continued her working career in the Des Moines area, culminating in several years as executive secretary to the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent. Margie and Wally filled their retirement years with travel and a variety of activities with their large network of family and friends. Following Wally’s death in 1997, Margie continued her busy schedule of duplicate bridge at the Bridge House, exercise, shopping, more travel, and many gatherings with family and friends. Her travels included a long-awaited trip to Stockholm. Margie was also an avid reader who loved to share her thoughts on her latest book.

In 2011, Margie moved her base of operations from Meadow Lane to The Lodge on Ashworth Road where she continued her very active social life, including many more bridge victories, amongst a whole new set of friends.

Margie was very proud of the accomplishments of her daughters and their families. Of all her many activities, her favorite was family gatherings where she could enjoy the company of those she loved most dearly.

Margie is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Deb and Bob Van Vlair, Janet and Norm Bruns, and Polly and Don Kellogg; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; half-sister Marguerite Goin and her family; numerous descendants of Wally’s large family; and many friends accumulated over the course of her long life.

Margie’s life will be celebrated on July 22nd at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in West Des Moines. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:30 with the service to follow at 11:00. A light lunch will be provided after the service. Remembrances in Margie’s memory can be made to St. Mark’s, where she was a faithful member for more than 65 years, or to a charity of your choice.