Marie L. Stumpff, age 84 of Amana died Sunday, December 21, 2008 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral Services: 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 27, 2008, at the Amana Community Church, Amana, Iowa with Elder Harold Pitz officiating. Burial will be in the Amana Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday, December 26, 2008 at the Amana Church, Amana, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established.

Marie was born November 8, 1924 in Amana, Iowa the daughter of Jacob August and Louise Frey Bretschneider. She was united in marriage to Roy T. Stumpff on June 15, 1946. A lifelong resident of Amana, she saw many changes including the transition from communal living to a capitalist system. Community was always important to Marie and in many ways she embodied the best of communal life—always looking out for those around her, taking care of others and giving generously.

Marie graduated from Amana High School in 1942. She worked at the Homestead Sandwich Shop, Amana General Store, Amana Woolen Mill Salesroom, was a waitress and tour guide at the Ox Yoke Inn, waitress at the Ronneburg Restaurant, and worked 18 years for the Amana School lunch program.

She was a member of the Amana Church, AWA Club, and Centerdale Women’s Club. She received “The Good Neighbor Person Award” in 1987. She was also recognized by the American Cancer Society for many years of volunteer work.

Throughout her life she gave of her talents in the kitchen—first as a cook in the Amana schools and then as the proprietor of the Colony Cone. She spent 20 summers providing cool refreshment and warm hospitality, building many friendships that would last a lifetime. Through the years she baked thousands of cakes and plates of cookies to celebrate birthdays, graduations, weddings and holidays.

Her faith was strong and was reflected in the way she lived. She taught many about the blessings of love, family, friendship, generosity and compassion. Ever humble, when asked about her accomplishments in helping so many, she would often shrug as if it were no big deal.

Marie was a friend to all who knew her. Her friendships spanned generations, as children and adults knew her simply as “Oma”, the German word for grandmother, a fitting tribute to her gentle spirit, kind heart and generous nature.

She was dedicated to building and supporting her family and took great pleasure in watching her children and grandchildren grow. No matter the event or accomplishment, she was there supporting and celebrating. Seeing her grandchildren marry and the births of a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter were highlights of recent years.

She will be dearly missed by her family; son, Roy Thomas “Tom” Stumpff of Amana; daughter Helen and husband Ken Fawcett of West Branch; granddaughter, Leanna and husband Troy Vincent of Iowa City; grandson Thomas and wife Jennifer Fawcett of Ames; and two great-grandchildren, Ethan Fawcett and Grace Vincent. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, George Bretschneider.