Margaret J. Dilts

ALLSUP, BAGBY, COULTER, DILTS, EHR, FERNALD, FERNAU, KERKOVE, KESTER, KRESS, TEEL

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 1/8/2025 at 11:35:00

Margaret J. Dilts, 90, of Independence, IA passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at her home in Independence after a short battle with cancer.

Margaret was born on April 13, 1934, to Paul and Irene (Ehr) Kerkove, in Jesup, IA. She grew up in Jesup and was a 1952 graduate of Jesup High School. She went on to work at the Jesup Coop as a bookkeeper for three years.

On June 21, 1955, Margaret married Lane Dilts. Together they had seven children and were later divorced.

In 1965, Margaret started working as a nurse’s aide at the Mental Health Institute in Independence. After thirty-four years of hard work, she retired in 1999.

She enjoyed traveling and going to casinos with family and friends. In her free time, she often read and worked on her most recent puzzle book. Margaret was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church, and the St. Johns Rosary Society in Independence.

Family was always important to her. Margaret was always there for her children during the good times and hard. She always loved family gatherings and loved catching up. Margaret was the glue that held her family together and will forever be loved and missed dearly.

She is survived by her children; Kathy (Dan) Allsup, Independence, IA, Steven Dilts, Oelwein, IA, Robert (Kristy) Dilts, Littleton, IA, Roger (Yolanda) Dilts, Fairfield, CA, Teresa (Dean) Kress, Quasqueton, IA, and James (Lynn) Dilts, Jacksonville, FL, fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 6 step great grandchildren, two sisters; Mary Lou Teel, Evansdale, IA, and Barb Fernald, Jesup, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret is preceded in death by a son, Larry Dilts, her parents, Paul and Irene Kerkove, four sisters; Madonna Coulter, Shirley Bagby, Alice Fernau, Janette Kester, a brother, Jack Kerkove, six brothers-in-law; John Bagby, Gene Kester, Oscar Fernau, Bob Fernald, Frank Teel, and Bill Coulter, and a sister-in-law, Rose Kerkove.

A special thank you to Carol Quass and Cedar Valley Hospice for all they have done for our mother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, IA with Very Rev. David Beckman presiding.

Interment will be held at the St. John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7 PM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA.

A Rosary will be said at 3:45 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.