Margaret Jean Scieszinski

Margaret Jean Scieszinski, age 95, Des Moines, IA, formerly of Melrose, IA, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA, surrounded by her family. Margaret was born on February 4, 1929, at home on the farm in Lucas County, to William Edmond and Mary Veronica (Luttrell) McGrath. She grew up attending country school and graduated from Chariton High School with the class of 1947. On October 2, 1954, she was united in marriage to Maurice Scieszinski and to this union, 3 children were born, Anne, Teresa, and Jane. Margaret and Maurice were blessed with 54 years of marriage prior to his passing on June 24, 2009. Margaret worked as a secretary at Stuart & Stuart Law Firm in Chariton before having children. She was then a homemaker, staying at home to raise her girls. In 1974, Margaret returned to the work force as a secretary for the Rural Water Association. She later went to work for the Farmer’s Home Administration in Monroe County and finished at the state office in Des Moines when she retired in 1994. Margaret was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, as well as the Altar and Rosary Society. After moving to Des Moines, she became a member of St. Augustin Catholic Church. Margaret enjoyed attending her children’s sporting and band events when they were growing up. She enjoyed being outdoors, vegetable and flower gardening, and canning her garden produce. She loved to read and was an avid Iowa State Cyclones fan, especially basketball, earning her the Cyclones Fan of the Game title at the age of 92. Above all else, Margaret’s family was everything to her and she cherished all the time she spent with them. Margaret is survived by her 3 daughters, Anne (Terry) Keen, Teresa (Kevin) Kostelecky, and Jane Scieszinski; 2 grandchildren, Sarah (Bill) Pruemer and Jeremy (Mackenzie) Kostelecky; and 2 great grandchildren, Andrew and Chase Pruemer. Margaret is also survived by her nephews, Joe (Cindy) Sellers, Tom Sellers, and several other nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Maurice; her parents, Ed and Veronica McGrath; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Alyce and Harris Sellers; and a nephew in infancy. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Margaret’s family present to greet family and friends. A Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, with Father Timothy Armbruster, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose, IA. Memorials have been established to Furry Friends Refuge in West Des Moines, EveryStep Hospice in Des Moines, and Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose.

Margaret Jean Scieszinski

February 4, 1929 - April 4, 2024