Margaret May Fuhrman

Margaret May (Gade) Fuhrman, 101, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her son's home in Bonham, Texas on April 11, 2022, following a brief illness. She lived a long and blessed life and was a blessing to others. Margaret was born in Riceville, Iowa, on May 16, 1920, to William H. Sr. and Lily (Keller) Gade. She spent her childhood and youth in Eagle Grove and Iowa Falls and later years on a farm south of Iowa Falls near Owasa. She was a 1938 graduate of Owasa High School where she proudly played 6-on-6 girls' basketball. She attended Ellsworth College.

In the early 1940's she met the love of her life, Fred (Fritz) Fuhrman, in Iowa Falls and was married to him on March 15, 1942, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Buckeye where she was later confirmed. The couple farmed first near Radcliffe and then moved to their farm south of Iowa Falls. After Fritz's retirement, they continued to live on the home place and enjoy farm life; they were blessed to have great renters and close neighbors. She loved to go to town to eat out, shop and go to auctions. She also liked to drive around the countryside to check on the crops; she especially kept a close eye on her own farmland. Margaret was an excellent cook. She enjoyed living off the land…canning, freezing, and butchering; her basement shelves and freezers were always full. Early in their marriage, she taught at a one room schoolhouse and used the income to purchase their first plow. Margaret also worked as a nurse's aide at Ellsworth Hospital.

Margaret was a talented artist with an eye for beauty. She loved to paint with oils and watercolors, as well as paint china.  She was a strong lady and had a very active role in helping Fritz on the farm.  She loved being outside tending her vegetable and flower gardens and loved all things nature. During the last few years, she spent many happy hours sitting on her deck watching birds and other wildlife and listening to the corn grow. Margaret also enjoyed her final years living at The Woodmoore Assisted Living in Bonham, Texas, where she made many new friends and won many BINGO games. Even in her advanced age, she frequently talked and dreamed about projects she still wanted to do, things she wanted make, a tree she wanted to plant, a picture she wanted to paint, and so much more. Margaret loved to look at photographs and share her many memories and stories from her past. She was especially proud that her father was one of the brothers of the Gade Manufacturing Company that made the air-cooled Gade engine; and, that her mother's artwork was featured in an Iowa magazine. She loved to play Five-Hundred and Pepper card games and enjoyed winning.

Margaret's Christian faith was very important to her. She daily read her Bible and devotions and prayed "The Lord's Prayer" every night. She was confirmed as a young adult and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls where she attended regularly until she was no longer able. She was active in Ladies' Aid and volunteered at the Thrift store and delivered Meals on Wheels. When asked what her secret was to living to her age, she would answer, "Honor thy father and mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God giveth thee."

She will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Carolyn (George) Cockayne of Des Moines, Linda (Steven) Hunt of Alden, Robert (Anita) Fuhrman and Susan (Dale) Petrus both of Bonham, Texas; six grandsons, Brian (Ann) and Aaron (Sarah) Hunt, Scott (Meaghan) Fuhrman, Paul and David Cockayne, and Ben (Emily) Petrus, and six great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Frederick Albert Carl Fuhrman, parents and one brother.

The funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m., April 19, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. The Rev. Paul Beisel will officiate. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Northlawn Memory Gardens Cemetary.

Arrangements are being handled by Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff and residents at The Woodmoore Assisted Living for welcoming Margaret to Texas, taking excellent care of her and teaching her to like iced tea.