Marguerite E. " Peggy" Oetker

August 4, 1929 - August 29, 2020

Marguerite E. "Peggy" Oetker, 91, of Eustis, FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2020. Born in Creston, IA, she moved to Des Moines and later married the love of her life, James Oetker. They started their family in Des Moines and eventually moved to Cumming, IA where they lived 53 years. Peggy then moved to Eustis, FL in 2014. She was a homemaker, a farmer’s wife, worked as a secretary at St. John’s Catholic Church (Des Moines and Cumming), Dowling High School and the Diocese of Des Moines. Peggy was part of the team that organized the Pope’s visit to Des Moines, working directly under CBS News Reporter Walter Cronkite. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Norwalk, IA and later at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, Eustis, FL. Peggy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and St John’s Alter & Rosary Society. When she had time Peggy loved sewing, crafting, dancing with Dad, working word puzzles and getting together with her girlfriends. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband James Oetker of 60 years, her parents and brothers Art and Joe Staley, and granddaughter Kim Sample George. She is survived by her children Leigh Anne (Roy) Tremain of Eustis, FL, Jan Oetker of Eustis, FL, Marc (Diane Stanley) Oetker of Cumming, IA, Peg (Howard) Sample of Kingman, AZ, Rick (Georgie McCuaig) Oetker of Denver, CO, Joe (Chris) Oetker of West Des Moines, IA, and Jamie (Keith) Van Gorp of Altoona, IA; 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; 5 great, great grandchildren and by numerous extended family and friends. A private funeral mass for the family will be held at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk, IA on October 2, 2020 at 11:00 AM with an open burial at the Cumming cemetery after the funeral. Memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, Clermont, FL at www.cornerstonehospice.org or to the Oetker family. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com. Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL.