Margaret Ellen Shontz

Margaret Ellen Shontz, 78, of rural Cedar Falls, passed away unexpectedly on October 4, 2024, at her home. Margaret was born on March 13,1946, to Harold and Marjorie (Davis) Rouse of Walker, Iowa, and later of Brandon, Iowa. Margaret graduated from Vinton High School in 1964, and from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A in 1967, her M.A. in 1968, and an Ed.S. in 1970. Margaret taught business education classes at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School (1968-1971), Northeast Community School District at Goose Lake (1971-1973), and at the University of Northern Iowa (1973-1975.) Margaret married Gary Shontz of Tipton on July 22, 1972. They have three children: Suzanne, Robert, and Roxanne. Once she had children, she chose to give up her teaching career to stay home and raise them. Margaret’s loves were attending family events, particularly for her grandchildren, as well as traveling. Most recently she was on a two-week trip to Japan with her oldest daughter, Suzanne. She enjoyed writing (including several self-published books) and was a faithful follower of Jesus. Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Harold, when she was in sixth grade and her mom, Marjorie, in 2017, as well her mother-in-law Eloise Shontz in 2012 and father-in-law Bernal Shontz in 2016. Additionally, she was preceded in death by various aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her husband, Gary, and their three children: Suzanne Shontz of Lawrence, Kansas, Robert (Tara) Shontz of West Des Moines, Roxanne (Josh) Heimann of Dike, and grandchildren Kaelyn, Katelyn, Braden, and Gianna of West Des Moines and Grady and Kingsley of Dike. She is also survived by Connie (Bill) Cain, Carla (Arlo) Merritt, Sally Shontz, and Ward (Judy) Shontz, aunts Joyce Dircks and Vivian Shontz, various cousins, nieces and nephews, and close friends Bill and Nita Quibell. Visitation will be 4-6pm Wednesday, October 9th at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls and also one hour prior to the service at church. The funeral will be 11am Thursday, October 10th at Celebration First Assembly of God Church in Waterloo. A lunch will be served immediately after the service with the burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. Online guestbook available at www.richardsonfuneralservice.com.

Margaret Ellen Shontz

March 13, 1946 - October 4, 2024