Marilyn Wegner

Marilyn M. Wegner age 84 of New Hampton, IA died Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Colonial Manor in Elma, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton, with Rev. James Goerend celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 19, 2022, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Tuesday. Marilyn was born on October 15, 1938 to John and Margaret (Rausch) Wegner in rural Ionia. She was the second of the couple’s nine children and grew up first on a farm outside of town before the family moved into the city when her father started the Wegner Welding business. She learned how to play the accordion and joined her harmonica-playing dad and brother and played when they were together. Marilyn received her education in New Hampton and graduated with the New Hampton High School Class of 1956. Her first job was working at the bowling alley that was located on Main Street, and after graduation, she took a job as a telephone operator. She married Hank Eischeid on September 17, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and spent much of the next 20 years as an Air Force wife and mother as Hank was stationed in various parts of the country and also was posted to an air base in Italy. Their family grew to include three children — Bill, Brenda and Tony — who had a mom, who quite simply, was always there for them. She could be stern when she had to be, but throughout her life, Marilyn was the kind of mom that they could always go to when they needed to talk through anything. Marilyn and Hank eventually divorced, but they remained on good terms. Marilyn and the kids moved back to New Hampton, where she worked as a bartender at the L-Cove, waitressed at The Greasy Spoon and worked as a nurse’s aide at Health Care Manor in New Hampton and at the Chautauqua Guest home in Charles City. She volunteered at the Chickasaw Center and received the Governors Award For Volunteerism. Her health forced her to retire in the early 1990s, but Marilyn found plenty to keep her busy. Before developing arthritis, she enjoyed crocheting and she loved doing crosswords, word searches and reading a good mystery. Her TV was always on, too, but that was more habit than anything. Marilyn was an exceptional grandma to her four grandchildren and six greats and was excited that two more great-grandkids were “on the way.” She was also a devout Catholic, who attended Mass regularly for many years and watched EWTN in later life when she couldn’t attend Mass in person. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Marilyn will always be remembered for her infectious smile; it was one that brightened even the gloomiest of days. She loved her family with all of her heart and although they will miss her terribly, they know her faith means she’s in a far better place today. Survivors include three children, Bill (Nancy) Eischeid of Carlyle, IL, Brenda (Gary) Tenge of North Washington, Tony (Lori) Eischeid of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Cassie Koller, Brady Tenge, Dalton Eischeid, Chianne Brinkley.; six great-grandchildren, Henry & Juniper Koller, Isla Tenge, Noah Kostka, Gracelyn Eischeid and Noah Brinkley; her siblings, Wuanita (Ron) Vikdal of North Washington, Joyce (Shorty) Shatek, Steve (Sue) Wegner all of New Hampton; sisters-in-law, Nancy Wegner of Fredericksburg, Debbie Wegner of New Hampton; brother-in-law, Kay Turner of New Hampton; She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Allan Wegner, Richard Wegner, Gary Wegner, Russ Wegner; a sister, Kathleen Turner.