Obituary for Marion Avonne Engel

Marion Avonne Engel, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the age of 94 at Walnut Ridge Senior Living Community in Clive, Iowa.  A private memorial service will be held at a future time.

She was on born on October 11, 1929 in Rochester, MN to the late John Cornwell and Julia Helgeson Cornwell.  Marion married Donald Engel on May 6, 1950 in Centerville, Iowa. They were married for 56 years until his death in 2006.

Marion lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for over 60 years, during which time she worked part time as a bookkeeper, preparing taxes and raising two children. A lifelong passion was playing duplicate bridge where she accumulated master points by engaging in tournaments around the state.  Marion volunteered at St Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids for over 30 years by staffing the help desk and making herself available to assist anyone in need.  You could always find a stack of library books nearby, as she always had a book underway.  Marion also enjoyed singing throughout her life, beginning with her church choir in Kenyon as a young person and later attending the symphony and live theater as an adult. Words and puzzles were a daily challenge as she worked on The New York Times crosswords and other word games she encountered in the newspaper.  After her husband’s death she engaged her curiosity to see more of the world, traveling on Road Scholar trips around the U.S. and other countries. Her last years were spent at the Walnut Ridge Senior Center, in Des Moines, near her daughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Betty Wiese.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan Larson; her son, John Engel; her grandchildren Matthew Larson and Anna Larson; nieces Julianne Wiese, Marcia Holmstrom and Pamela Bromander; and nephew, Randall Wiese.

Marion is remembered for her quiet humility, unassuming nature, and acceptance that what she had in life was more than she needed.