Marguerite Askren

Marguerite Jane Askren, the third daughter of Emmett Preston and Ella Margaret (Barron) Evans was born October 31, 1904 on a farm near Derby, Iowa. She departed this life March 22, 2007 at Chariton Nursing and Rehab at the age of 102 years. As a child she attended Fisher Country School and after graduating high school in Derby she taught country school until her marriage to Noel L. Roberts in 1926. Two daughters were born to this union, Marlius Eloise Mott and Davidene Elaine McDonald. She accepted Christ as her Saviour as a young child and was baptized and joined the Goshen Baptist Church. From 1936 to 1942 Noel and Marguerite ran the Derby Telephone Exchange as operator and lineman. In 1943, they moved to Chariton where Marguerite worked for J. C. Penney Company as clerk and later bookkeeper. Later she worked for Youngs Book Store and then Spurgeons. When Noel passed away in 1958, she was working for Elite Dress Shop as clerk and did alterations as well. In 1966, she married Jud Askren and lived on a farm near Williamson where they raised calves and farmed. In 1970, because of Jud's failing health, they sold the farm and moved to town where Jud passed away in 1979. Marguerite maintained her home until 1993 when she sold it and moved to Southgate Apartments. Through the years raising her family, she gardened, canned food and made jellies. She made her clothes, those of her daughters and even her grandsons. She helped take care of her elderly parents until their death. She crocheted many dolies, big afghans as well as baby afghans for her great and great great grandchildren. Her specialty in cooking was fried chicken, cole slaw and fresh homemade pies (any kind). In June 2006, due to declining health, she moved to Chariton Nursing and Rehab. She enjoyed all the activities and liked to socialize with the people. She even played the piano some. When asked what she contributed her long life, she would say, 'Hard work, clean living and God's help.' She has left a long Christian legacy for her family and friends. We will miss her at our family gatherings, but one day we will be together at the greatest family gathering of them all, 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.' Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Davidene McDonald (Frank) her four grandsons, Emery (Sherry), Robert (Susan), Stephen (Jolene) and James (Connie) McDonald; 12 great grandchildren, nine great great grandchildren, 2 step sons Walden (Pauline) Askren, Lyle (Betty) Askren and one step daughter, Wanda Russell plus several step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those preceding her in death were her parents, baby infant sister, sister Mae Webb, daughter Marlius Eloise Mott, one stepdaugther Wilma Ballard, both husbands and many other loved ones and precious friends. Her services were held at the Church of the Nazarene on Monday, March 26, 2006, where she had been a member for over 50 years.