On Nov. 29, our beloved mama and grandma, Marjorie Ann Iverson, went to her heavenly home. She celebrated her 89^th birthday on Thanksgiving with her Utah-based family a few days before.
Marjorie was born in Grover, Colo., on Nov. 24, 1933, to Mary and Jim DeGraw, along with five brothers and sisters. She spent her younger years in LaBarge, Wyo., skating on the river, fishing, hunting for arrowheads and always playing music. She started with an ocarina, then the piano, guitar and the accordion (although she could play almost any instrument handed to her within a short time). By 14, she played for dances and eventually with her husband Ivan in their own band, “Ivan and the Terribles.” They played around southwest Wyoming with Marge on piano, Ivan on drums, their son Dale on bass guitar and the fabulous Ernie Northway on saxophone.
In her later years, Marjorie joined the Utah Old Time Fiddlers, played at her senior apartment at Solstice Senior Living, and always played music with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After graduating from Big Piney High School, Marge pursued business college and worked at a Kemmerer bank. She married Ivan Iverson in 1953. They lived at camp on Dry Piney where Ivan worked. “Camp” was a wonderful home for their three children, Becky, Dale and Jill. Later they moved to Big Piney where Marjorie worked for the Forest Service.
They later owned the Country Cottage Clothing store in Marbleton. Marge and Ivan moved to Salt Lake City and Marge went back to work for the Forest Service, retiring in 1996. After Ivan’s death in 2010, Marjorie moved to Solstice Senior Apartments where she received wonderful care and companionship.
Anyone who knew Marge would describe her as one of a kind. She was full of life, fun and a good argument. She loved to read and was a lifelong learner. She enjoyed watching movies and going to Wendover. Her family will remember all of the fun camping trips, her gift of hospitality and cooking, her artistic talents, her exceptional love for music and her sometimes surprising comments. She was faithful in her marriage to Ivan, and cared for him in his last days. She will be remembered for how she raised her children to know the Lord and desired that her grandchildren know God as well.
Marjorie is survived by her children Becky True (Mike), Dale Iverson (Margie) and Jill Bardin (Chris), as well as her seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, siblings, husband, grandsons Matthew and Jess, and many dear friends. The celebration of life will be scheduled for mid-summer at Viola Cemetery on LaBarge Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be sent to the family directly to be used for a musical instrument fund for the Big Piney school music program.