Marjorie Bowen Gottschalk

Marjorie Bowen Gottschalk of Catawba Island died July 27, 2009 at her home, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on January 22, 1928 in Gypsum, Ohio, the daughter of Deo Bowen and Dorothy Tasch Bowen. She attended Gypsum and Port Clinton City Schools, graduating in 1946, then began university studies at Bowling Green State University. She married Fred Gottschalk on October 22, 1949 in Port Clinton. Her 3 daughters survive her: Deborah Mike Campbell of Hamilton, Ohio; Patricia David Shaffer-Gottschalk of Colonial Heights, Virginia; and Julie Kent Joy of Catawba Island. In 1965 she resumed her college studies at Bowling Green State University, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in education in 1968. She taught 6th grade for 25 years in Sandusky City Schools at Barker, Venice Heights and Mills Elementary Schools. She touched the lives of many students in her years of teaching. Marge was energetic and full of enthusiasm all her life. She quietly held many leadership positions including those of Sunday School teacher, confirmation teacher, Girl Scout Troop leader, Canton District secretary of United Methodist Women, and in Delta Kappa Gamma. She was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Port Clinton for most of her life, and several United Methodist churches throughout East Ohio. She belonged to St. Johns Womens Priscilla Circle, United Methodist Women, the Port Clinton Mothers Round Table, State Retired Teachers Organization, the Sandusky Womens Club, Sandusky Retired Teachers Card Club and the Amherst Craft Group. Her hobbies included crocheting, reading, playing cards, cooking, crafts and sudoku. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by 7 grandchildren: James, Christine, Renata, Petra, Caitlin, Casey, Caleb, and one great-granddaughter, Eleece. Her sister, Madelon Wadsworth, also survives her, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend who will be sorely missed, but the legacy of her courage and faith will live on. Visitation will be 2-8PM, Thursday, July 30, 2009 in the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Clinton, Ohio, with family present from 2-4 & 6-8PM. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. James Lehman, Rev. Kent W. Joy and Pastor Bruce Batchelor-Glader at 10:00AM, Friday, July 31, 2009 in St. John Lutheran Church, Port Clinton, Ohio with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Catawba Island Cemetery. Marge requested that in lieu of flowers, any memorial donations be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870, in gratitude for their wonderful care. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.