I can't write too much right now because it is late and I need to go to bed but I wanted to share this with you before I go to sleep. Tonight, Marge Witten lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. As I was growing up Marge was a friend of your grandparents through church and your Grandma's through Country Stitches. As far back as I can remember Marge worked at Country Stitches and every time your Grandma and I went there they would talk and talk and talk (to a child it seemed like forever). Marge eventually left Country Stitches and began working with Jim Kost, another friend from church who was also our realtor. After your grandparents moved to Wyoming while I was in college I continued to see Marge occasionally at church and at events leading up to our wedding. Each time she offered to help in any way that she could and was always available as a surrogate mom while Grandma was away. Over the years that relationship deepened when your dad and I bought the Allen St house with the help of Marge and Jim. A couple of years later we began the process of buying the Mt Hope house and Marge was right there cheering us along. From the beginning she was one who could see beyond the mess that this house was and understood why your dad and I loved it so much. During that process I was pregnant and Marge was such a wonderful person to have in our corner, when you came along her excitement for us was genuine and I had many great conversations with her about the joys of motherhood. Upon her diagnosis 18 months ago she and Earl moved to Minnesota to be closer to their grandkids and I am so glad that she had that time with them. I am saddened by the news of her death today but am also glad that she is at peace and out of pain- no one deserves it more than her. I hope that you have women like that in your life and I also hope that every day I can live life in a way that would make Marge proud.

Marge Witten January 7, 1949 - January 4, 2011