A Mass of Christian Burial for Marian Feldhacker, 95, of Milford ,was held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery.
Marian Helen Feldhacker, peacefully passed away on April 22, 2024, in Milford, Iowa, at the age of ninety-five. She was born on June 10, 1928, in Wynot, Nebraska, to Veronica (Kathol) and Joseph Wubben. Marian was the first in her family to attend high school and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington, Nebraska. She later taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska.
On August 12, 1947, Marian married Elmer Feldhacker, in St. Helena, Nebraska. In 1949, the couple decided to begin a new chapter in Milford, Iowa, where they raised their six children. Together with Elmer’s brother, Gib, and Marian’s sister, Theresa, they transformed a simple garage into Elmer & Gib’s Tavern, which they owned and operated for over thirty years. During that time, Marian also worked as a clerk at Jacobs store, and as a teller at a bank nearby. She loved working with the public.
Following Elmer’s passing in 1982, Marian continued to co-own and operate the tavern for a short time, and then transitioned to retail clerking at Jowaco, the Emporium, and other retail opportunities. She also worked as a seamstress doing alterations for many in the community. In her retirement years, Marian worked as a volunteer clerk for Thee Garage Sale. Marian would often say she worked so she had some “fun money” to enjoy the things she loved in life. She enjoyed traveling, especially if it included reconnecting and visiting with family members. Bus tours to Deadwood with friends and family were also a favorite vacation. Marian taught herself how to play piano, enjoyed picture puzzles and played a lot of cards. She wasn’t hesitant to remind her family of a trophy she had won at a bridge tournament. She loved winning at these games and was not afraid to beat her opponents, even if they were her own grandchildren. She would often joke saying, “I love to beat my kids”. She had a known battle with snakes, attempting to end the life of every snake she found. And despite Marian’s lack of affection towards pet cats and dogs, they always seemed to be drawn to her.
Marian instilled in her children to be self-sufficient, determined and hard working. Marian leaves a legacy of love, grace and kindness to those that were blessed to know her. She had a quiet presence and loved watching and listening to her family, but also shared her sharp sense of humor to bring out the laughs. She would light up when she saw a grandchild or great-grandchild and lovingly received the nickname “Grandma Crackers” early on, as she always had a stash of crackers in her pocket.
Marian was an active member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, where she was involved in the Church Choir and the Rosary Altar Society. She was very proud of her part in starting a card group within St Ann’s Circle to raise money for St Joseph’s School.
Marian is survived by her six children, Jan Manley (Tom) of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Marvin Feldhacker (Carol) of Magnolia, Texas; Verona Chaffin (Don) of Milford, Iowa; Jean Marie Alspach (Jerry) of Belmond, Iowa; Allen Feldhacker (Deb) of Bloomington, Minnesota; and Carol McCormick (John) of Salem, South Dakota; seventeen grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer; her twelve siblings and Elmer’s sixteen siblings; and one grandson, Joshua Feldhacker.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
