Margaret Deskin

Margaret Deskin, 86, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. Margaret passed away peacefully in her sleep in Newton, her home for more than 60 years.

Margaret was born Margaret Maxine Bettis in Albia, Oct. 8, 1928, the middle child of three born to Carl and Maude Bettis. Margaret grew up in Albia, first on a farm and later in town when her father Carl sold the farm and bought a Sinclair gas station and moved the family to town. Margaret completely enjoyed living in town as a young teenager and graduated from Albia High School in 1946. Margaret married Harold Deskin June 30, 1951, after Harold returned from serving in the U.S. Air Corp in World War II and finished college. The young couple moved to Newton when Harold was offered a job with The Maytag Company upon graduation from The University of Iowa. The couple grew to a family quickly when they were blessed with two children, Deborah and Mark. Margaret enjoyed the role of stay at home mom, and devoted herself to her children and the perfect chocolate chip cookie, which she mastered and remains to this day one of the greats. She was most known among friends however for her pie making, and her family and friends were fortunate enough to partake in many fresh rhubarb pies and homemade apple dumplings through the years. She could always be counted on to bring the pie. Margaret worked at Maytag briefly, but truly loved her work at the Jasper County Savings Bank, the anchor of the Newton downtown square in the 60s, 70s and 80s. She was the smiling face most people first encountered upon walking in the front door of the bank, and loved her role of making everyone feel at home when they visited the bank. She began the popular “Lemonade in the Shade” summertime event for the bank which continued for more than 10 years, as well as her “Very Important Citizen” club, or VIC. This group of active seniors not only would sign up for day long “mystery trips” and overnight trips in Kansas City or Chicago, but were also shepherded to Europe, Hawaii and Australia by Margaret, who organized, facilitated and led the trips and took care of dozens of Seniors from Newton who signed up to go with her. And, she never lost a one.

Margaret loved her daughter, Deborah Deskin-Bennett and husband Bruce; grandchildren Cody, Blake and Mark of California; and her son Mark and grandchildren Erin, Colton and Taylor of Colorado. Margaret leaves a sister, Jean Caster of Ottumwa; and a brother, Bill Bettis of Aliso Viejo, Calif. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Harold who passed away in November of 2012. Margaret was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed tremendously by her family.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. Visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A lunch will follow the service.

Always in my Heart. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.