Margie Jean Waterman Smith Lauruhn

MCNEAL, Ariz. - Margie Jean Waterman Smith Lauruhn passed away peacefully on July 7, 2015 at her home in McNeal, Arizona. Margie was born on a farm in Sac County Iowa, October 31, 1925, to Wayne and Ruth (Petty) Waterman. Margie graduated from Providence Consolidated School in Sulphur Springs, Iowa. Not only did she excel academically, she was an accomplished guard on the six on six basketball team and played a mean trombone in the high school band. Margie married Keith Smith, from Newell, Iowa, after high school and to this union five children were born. Margie and Keith were Iowa farmers who enjoyed the role of making crops grow. When Keith passed from a long illness, Margie, at age forty, began her college education to become a teacher. She started at Emmetsburg Community College and completed her elementary education studies, at Mankato State University, in Mankato, Minnesota. One of her many stories about her apartment living at T&C Apartments by the college was pushing her dresser against the door on Thursday nights because her small ice tray just wasn't sufficient enough for all the knocks on the door. Her teaching degree took her to Waterville Minnesota where she taught in the elementary school for many years. Margie married her beloved Bill Lauruhn in June of 1974. They spent twenty-seven wonderful years together and were very active in Habitat for Humanity before they retired. Their retirement years were spent in their beautiful home in Sun City West, Ariz. They were very active in their church, Shepard of the Hills United Methodist Church, in SCW, where they sang in the choir and volunteered their time. Margie was a strong, independent woman, an avid reader and strongly believed in Public Education. Margie was deeply loved by all her children. Margie was preceded in death by her husbands, Keith Smith and Bill Lauruhn; parents, Ruth and Wayne Waterman; brother, Donald Waterman; sister, Bonnie Mahaffey; son, Allen Smith; and grandson, Josh Lauruhn. Margie is survived by sister, Shirley, (Glen) Lookingbill; and her sister in law, Leah Waterman. Her children, Linda, (Keith) Ebeling, David Zeke, (Gail) Smith, Peggy Smith, (Joe Cornelius) and Libby Smith. Also survived by step children that she loved like her own, Vickie Lauruhn (Tom Hager), John, (Kathy) Lauruhn, Joe, (Lori) Lauruhn, Christy, (Claque) Hodgson, Jeff Lauruhn, Kelli, (Dave) Arends. Twenty two grandchildren and numerous great grand children, and many nieces and nephews. Margie's memorial is planned on April 9, 2016, (her favorite time of the year.) At the Mankato Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato, Minnesota. Memorial contributions may be sent to Waterville Elementary School, 500 E. Paquin St. Waterville, MN 56096. 507-362-4439, for the purchase of books for the elementary students.