Marguerite M. Lybbert, age 99, died Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Denver Sunset Home.

She was born December 22, 1917 near Kalona, Iowa in rural Washington County, the daughter of Joseph E. and Myrtle M. (Long) Vodicka.

Marguerite graduated from Kalona High School with the Class of 1936 and attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls (now UNI), Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and Kirksville College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, MO where she received her B.S. degree in 1948. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Colorado in Greeley, CO.

Marguerite’s love of teaching young children started in a one room schoolhouse known as “Lookout School” in Washington County, Iowa and then she taught in Keokuk, Iowa, Decatur, Illinois, and for 30 years in the Waterloo Community Schools. She married Elton F. Lybbert on November 22, 1962 in Cedar Falls, and they enjoyed their time together until he passed away on December 17, 2000.

Marguerite enjoyed crocheting, knitting and cooking in her spare time. She loved to talk about her fishing trips with her husband. In May, 2010 she entered the Denver Sunset Home and for over seven years she shared with staff, visitors and fellow residents her experiences growing up on the farm and her many years as a teacher.

Marguerite is survived by her step-children, Sharon Gunhus and Francis Lybbert; a sister, Rosetta Fry; step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elton and a sister, Violet Chalupa.