Marjorie Ellen Emerson Kroeger passed away at 2:28 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Tremont Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Hillsboro.
Marjorie was born November 18, 1933, on a farm north of Toledo, IA, to Leon and Mae (Ebersole) Emerson. The youngest of 3 children, she was baptized on June 10, 1934, at the United Brethren Church. She graduated from Toledo H. S. on May 18, 1951. After graduation, she was the receptionist at the Farm Bureau Office and later at the Light Company, both in Toledo.
On August 2, 1953, Marjorie was united in marriage to Wayne V. Kroeger, at the U. B. Church. They made their first home in Indianola, IA, where Wayne was a student at Simpson College. Marjorie worked for a lawyer until the birth of her twin daughters, Vickie and Christy. Christy lived only 2 ½ days. A son, Bill, was also born while they lived
at Indianola.
On May 27, 1956, Marjorie was confirmed at the Mt.
Calvary Lutheran Church. After Wayne’s graduation in June of 1956, they moved to Stuart, Iowa, where Wayne taught school for three years. A son, Rick, was born while they lived there.
In 1959, they moved to Nokomis, where Wayne taught
school. They joined Trinity Lutheran Church. A daughter,
Sandy, was born several years later.
After her children were all in school, Marjorie took a part-
time job at an insurance company and later worked 10 years as a
bookkeeper at a local quarry. After spending several years at
home, she went back to work as the bookkeeper at the local
newspaper, retiring in May 1990. Upon retirement, she and Wayne enjoyed being with family and friends, and also took several trips abroad. She also joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Marjorie is survived by her children, Vickie (Tom) Detmers and Wm. “Bill” Kroeger all of Nokomis, Rick Kroeger of Ramsey, and Sandy (John) Charnisky of Witt; grandchildren, Kris (Erica) Detmers, Erin (JJ) Sabol, Rachelle (Craig) Reincke, Josh Kroeger, Christy (Chris) Boggs, and Broc Kroeger; 11 great-grandchildren and a sister, Roberta Wallace of Clayton, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; her infant daughter, Christy; and her brother, Roger Emerson.
The family will receive visitors from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 22009 E 19th Road, Nokomis, IL. A funeral ceremony will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Nokomis Cemetery, next to her beloved husband, Wayne.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Montgomery County Cancer Association. Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
