Marjorie A. Entorf

Marjorie Alida Goetzke was born February 27, 1925, to Alfred and Ida (Flindt) Goetzke in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1942, attended Albert Lea Junior College, and in 1946 graduated from Iowa State College with degrees in Textiles and Clothing and Home Economics Education. Later, she did graduate work in curriculum development at Mankato State.

Marjorie A. Entorf

She taught Home Economics in three Iowa high schools; Radcliffe, Ellsworth and Stanhope.

On June 21, 1947, she was united in marriage to Robert Entorf at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea where she had been baptized and confirmed. They celebrated their 66” wedding anniversary in June 2013.

Because of her science and education background she was co-chairman of the committee that developed the Mobile Science Lab program for elementary students. For twenty-two years she taught “hands-on” science in the Lab. She demonstrated this method of teaching science at workshops for elementary teachers in both Minnesota and Iowa and at the National Science Teachers Association Convention in Dallas, Texas.

The First Presbyterian Church was a part of her life for more than 95 years. As an ordained elder, she served on the Session, was a visiting deacon and was the Bible Study leader for Lydia Circle.

She served on the Freeborn County Historical Society Board and was a volunteer. She was a tour guide and helped to create displays and directed the project to conserve their historic clothing collection.

She was a member of the South Broadway Extension Club, Travel Class and Chapter CV P.E.O. In each of these organizations she served in many offices including president. Travel was always a part of her life. With her parents she visited many states, including a one year stay in Long Beach, California where she attended kindergarten. They visited the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 and the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Marge and her husband attended the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a family they “tented” to California and Florida, then traveled with a camper on their pickup truck. After retirement Marge and Bob visited more than twenty-six foreign countries. They attended numerous Elderhostel programs and helped to initiate this program in Albert Lea. They attended International Rotary Conventions in Tokyo, Calgary and San Antonio.

Favorite activities included sewing, gardening, furniture refinishing and wallpapering.

Majorie is survived by her children; William (Marjory) Entorf of Albert Lea, Robert F (Audrey) Entorf of Douglasville, Georgia, Alida Jane (Paul) Tomer of Gillette, Wyoming. Her grandchildren; Matthew (Michelle) Entorf, Travis Entorf, Ashley (Andy) Smith, Logan (Brandi) Tomer and step-granddaughter Rachel (Jason) Miller. Great-grandchildren are Owen Entorf, Connor and Ethan Smith, Kellen and Brayden Tomer and Bode and Reese Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, MN. Interment will be at Shady Oak Cemetery, Pickerel Township.

A special thank you to all the staff at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community for their loving care.