Marie Johnk


Mattie Marie Dobbs was born April 18, 1929 on the kitchen table at home in Henderson, IA to Larmon and Leona (Taylor) Dobbs. She died November 8, 2013 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, at the age of 84 years, 6 months, and 20 days.


Marie lived in the Oakland area during her younger years, which was during the depression era. When her father was unable to find work, they moved to California. After spending eight years in California, they moved back to Iowa. Marie attended school in Oakland, and then graduated from Oakland High School with the class of 1947. She worked in Omaha at Watson Brothers Transportation until she married Donald Franklin Johnk on August 21, 1949. They lived on the family farm until 1991, when they moved in to Oakland.


Marie was very involved in the lives of her children. She volunteered as a Cub Scout, Girl Scout, and 4-H Leader for many years. She was a member of the Mothers Club and was involved in their church. Marie worked side by side with Don on the farm (except for the time she spent corralling her three children).


Don and Marie traveled to many beautiful places, but their first love was spending their winters in Texas and their yearly fishing trips to Canada, teaching their children and grandchildren how to fish. Many memories were made in those special years.


Marie enjoyed reading, playing bridge, bird watching, suppers with her Thursday night friends, and an occasional trip to the casino. Some of her favorite memories as a child were times spent at her grandparents home in the country by Henderson, IA.


Marie is preceded in death by her loving husband Don Johnk; her parents Larmon and Leona (Taylor) Dobbs; and her step-mother Mildred Campbell Dobbs.


She is survived by her children: Scott Johnk and wife Laura of Ozark, MO, Trudy Weaver and husband Phil of Walnut, IA, and Suzanne Pierce and husband Jerry of Oakland, IA; five beautiful granddaughters; seven great grandchildren; her sister Donna Dobbs Fisher and husband Jack of Britt, IA; and her brothers-in-law, Carol Johnk of Griswold, IA and Ted Johnk and his wife Phyllis of Oakland. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.


Marie loved her family with all of her heart and that love was given back to her tenfold.


Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Oakland Christian Church in Oakland. Private family interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland. An open visitation will be held at the Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland on Monday. The family will not be present at any specific time. A memorial fund has been established. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.