Marjorie Ann Fehn

While dressed in her robe that she loved to wear while at home, Marjorie Ann (Schuler) Fehn left us suddenly on Monday, May 10, 2021. It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we say an earthly goodbye to her, but we take great comfort that she has now been reunited in heaven with her husband Gerry after being without him for more than three years. Per her wishes, Marjorie Ann was cremated.

Marjorie Ann (MA to those closest to her) was born on January 8, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Two great people, William and Majorie Schuler adopted her, and later in life, Marjorie Ann was able to find and connect with her biological mother, Dorthy.

Marjorie Ann graduated from Benton High School in St. Joseph where she was a National Honor Society Member. Already an accomplished pianist by the time she graduated high school, she attended Drake University and found her calling in church music. In 1965 she started her long musical career at Grand View Lutheran Church as a church organist and music director. It was here where she met the love of her life, Gerry Fehn, and in 1969 they were married and shortly after moved to Ankeny, IA until Gerry’s death in 2017.

In 1984, Marjorie Ann took a leap of faith and left Grand View to begin working at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in a role she also had a gift for, Family Service Coordinator. She had such a way of helping families deal with the loss of a loved one. However, she never was away from the piano or organ long, playing for funerals and weddings across Des Moines. Faith Lutheran Church and Tiffereth Synagogue were also places of worship where parishioners were blessed to hear her talents.

Then in 1994, she found her home as an organist at St. Ambrose Cathedral, and for the last 27 years has been sharing her talents in countless weddings, funerals, mass, diocesan liturgies, ordinations, installations, and Rite of Election ceremonies. She also collaborated with Father Richard Tomasek and produced a musical CD, “Until The Dawn,” that was presented to the Pope.

Her musical talents were not just shared among different places of worship. Schools were also blessed to have her as an accompanist. Dowling Catholic and Drake University were fortunate to have Marjorie Ann share her music with students and listeners. Carnegie Hall also was a career highlight for her as accompanist with the Dowling Catholic Choir.

Marjorie Ann was also an incredible wife and mother. She made her house the place where kids across Ankeny wanted to go. Many memories of her children and their friends in her kitchen. She would never ask you to leave, but rather could you stay a little longer. She had a gift of making everyone feel welcomed in her home, and if you asked, you might also get an impromptu concert, featuring “The Rose”, “The Entertainer,” or “Home Sweet Home.” Piano playing excellent, background vocals not so much with Christmas carols as well.

Marjorie Ann is survived by her three children: sons Andy (Sheila) and Chris, and her daughter Amy. She also has 7 grandchildren that were her pride and joy: Luke, Chloe, Jaden, Sam, Sophie, Olivia, and Jaxon. Her brother-in-law Bruce (Marilyn) and sister-in-law Margaret Fehn also grieve in her death. Marjorie Ann is preceded in death by her adoptive parents William and Marjorie Schuler, her biological mother Dorthy, and her husband of 47 years Gerry.

The Fehn family would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. We are blessed to have so many people reach out and share their thoughts and prayers. A special thanks to the Albaugh family for everything you have done to help us through this difficult time. Thank you to Debbie Rohrer and the staff of Hamilton’s Funeral Home for their work preparing the service our mom wanted.

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