Marjorie E. (Burlingame) Hamann (Marge) died Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 98 years of age.
Marge was born May 7, 1922, to Edward Burlingame Sr. and Elisabeth (Deringer) Burlingame in Elkader, Iowa. She was one of seven children, raised by a serious shopkeeper and a hard-working mother. As a child living through the economic depression, she enjoyed the simple pleasure of play especially with her younger sister Ruth. Life centered on the support of friends and family through Catholic School and Church activities.
Marge was a hairdresser who trained in Waterloo, Iowa, after high school. After her marriage to Lorin (Shorty) Hamann in 1946, she worked for many years in her own small shop in St. Olaf, Iowa. Much of her life was centered on the consequences of World War II since her husband was a prisoner of war in Germany who survived his injuries while imprisoned. During her life, in St. Olaf she gave birth to two sons, Stephen and Richard.
Her life with a husband recovering from the disabilities of war and two energetic sons hardened her resolve to compassion and her commitment to the good in life. After her husband’s passing in 1996, she resided in Elkader. Unfortunately, several floods took her from her apartment home and forced her to find a new home in a low-income housing unit in 2008.
In December 2009, she had a heart attack which she miraculously survived by phoning and getting assistance from a friend who took her to the local hospital. She was moved to St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids where she fought for her life for over a month. Her determination to survive reflected her love for her family, especially her sons who were with her during her hospital recovery. She resided at the Elkader Care Center until her peaceful passing there, still hoping she could be together with her family for Christmas.
Marge is survived by her sons, Richard Hamann and Stephen (Naowarut Charoenca) Hamann; six grandchildren, Brian Hamann, Rachel (Josh) Cronan, MyKenzie Dains, Elisabeth, Miles and Hayley Hamann; five great-grandchildren and her sister, Barbara (Loren) Mohning of Garnavillo.
Those preceding her in passing, her parents, Edward Burlingame Sr, Elisabeth (Deringer) Burlingame; her husband, Loren; her siblings, three sisters and two brothers, Gladys Mentzel, Edward Burlingame Jr., Dorothy Hedeman, Ruth Sorensen and Bernard Burlingame
Visitation: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Friday, October 30, 2020, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Elkader.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM – Friday, October 30, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader with Rev. Daniel Knipper as Celebrant
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Elkader, Iowa
Due to Covid-19, we ask everyone to continue physical distancing and wear a mask if you plan to attend.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family with arrangements.