Warm, loving, caring and modest are just a few of the many adjectives one could use in describing Marge Gannon. Always ready to lend a hand to someone in need, be they family, friend, or stranger, she devoted her life to service of others and truly lived her faith.

Marjorie Kathryn Miller was born to Kathryn and Martin miller in Canova, SD on April 23, 1926. Unfortunately, baby Margie never knew her mother as she died a few days later from “uremia” a complication of childbirth. Her father Martin found himself a first time dad, a grieving widower and a hard pressed farmer on the Dakota plains. Relatives and friends helped with the baby and little girl during those early years. Though sometime later, her devoted dad did re-marry, his new spouse who was less than receptive to motherhood - and Marge spent most of her time with friends and cousins. Martin died of complications from surgery when Marge was a young teen. Now, essentially without a parent, it was left to other relatives to take her in and Uncle Joe and Aunt Lena from Granville, Iowa stepped forward to help. As this was the depression, it was no small feat.

Marge had many jobs to help her father and uncle from chores, to restaurant worker and waitress. One of her fondest memories was earning money selling bags of popcorn in front of the local movie house. That job was the “cat’s meow” of the day as the movie theater was the “happening spot” in a small town. Marge was a diligent student - she graduated from Catholic High School in Alton, Iowa in 1944. A turning point in her life occurred when her favorite teacher encouraged her to enter nursing school at St Joseph Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. There she found her calling. Marjorie demonstrated the aptitude and temperament for nursing, and graduated as an RN in 1947. She was selected to be a member of recently graduated nurses to represent the United States in a world conference on nursing in Europe. A special thrill that she would always recall from that trip was an audience she and her fellow nurses had with Pope Pius XII. In the front row, Marge was among those the Holy Father personally greeted. When he came to Marjorie, she kissed his ring and he spoke to her. He commented that she looked so young to be a nurse and wished her the best in her life of service to others. Marge received a rosary blessed by the Pope that day. It remained with her throughout her lifetime as a most treasured keepsake.

Marjorie’s first position as a nurse brought her to Storm Lake, Iowa. There she found a good job and an athletic WWII Veteran going to Buena Vista College on the GI Bill. Dancing and romance soon followed. She married her life ling mate, John Gannon on August 16, 1950. Her husband’s career as a teacher, coach, and later school administrator took them to several towns throughout Iowa. Marge worked as a night nursing supervisor. In small rural hospitals at the time that meant being in charge of every department in the hospital. Duties would range from midnight emergencies in the operating or delivery room to caring for failing seniors on the ward. Marge cherished the work.

Raising a large happy family was a priority for Marge and Jon who labored diligently in this regard. Over the years, six children followed. The demands at home meant changing careers from nursing to full-time motherhood. However, she continued to do volunteer nursing with the Red Cross for years to come. As all mothers can attest, the efforts required of a being a mom with the most trying and the most rewarding. Of particular note is that the same pregnancy related illness that took her own mother’s life arose on more than one occasion. It would have claimed Marge’s as well if not for the care of her doctors and advances in medicine. Years of rearing her children and loving her spouse followed. Through the scraped knees, fractured limbs, ruptured spleens, broken hearts, and school bond votes, Marge was the steadfast support for all. Her love and wisdom provided the bedrock upon which her family constructed their lives.

Her devotion to others included her many friends, community and church. Marge was a long time volunteer for the county hospital, Red Cross, and Catholic Daughters of America. The prayers of her prayer group went out to help many locally and around the world. Her “care packages” to her children were triple size. This was so they could be shared with college pals, fellow airmen and soldiers. They were treasured in times of quiet study in the dorm and times of war far overseas. Even in her later years, though Alzheimer’s diminished her abilities she would still “visit the sick” among her fellow nursing home residents and encourage her children over the phone. Though bereft a mother she was an exemplary mother to many. Raised without a role model of how to be a spouse, she was a wonderful wife for 60 years. Inspired by a holy man in Rome at a young age she spent her life in selfless service to others and to her God.

Left to cherish the memory of her life are her beloved husband, John of Emmetsburg; children Patricia and Doug Escue of Houston, TX, Michael Gannon and Maureen West-Gannon of Bellingham, WA, Kevin Gannon of Seattle WA, Mary Kay and BJ Larson of Arlington, WA, Donna and Kevin Connelly of Danville, CA, and Robert Gannon of Anchorage, AK; five grandchildren, Kelly and Michael Halvorson, Brad Escue, Mark Gannon, John Gannon and Noah Larson; and two great grandsons, Colin and Spencer. Marge is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Kathryn Miller, her half brother Ronald Miller, and her aunt and uncle, Joseph and Lena Miller.