Magaret Ann Sumners

Margaret Ann (Fosse) Sumners passed away July 2, 2024 at Edencrest in Johnston, Iowa surrounded by loved ones.

Margaret was born in Radcliffe, Iowa on September 8, 1933, to Helena (Jensen) Fosse and Halvor Fosse. She graduated from high school in Radcliffe in 1951 and went on to get her teaching certificate from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In 1968, she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

After getting her teaching certificate in 1953, she moved to Clarion, Iowa where she taught 3rd grade for four years. She continued teaching with positions in both Clear Lake and Dows, Iowa, before transitioning to substitute teaching. While teaching in Clarion, she met the love of her life, Roger Sumners, at Hi Hat Lanes Bowling Alley. They were united in marriage on August 8th, 1958. To this union four daughters were born: Michelle, Lisa, Lori, and Amy.

For several years she was a stay-at-home mom but kept very busy participating in local clubs and her girls’ activities. With the addition of real estate to Sumners Insurance Agency, she went back to school to get her real estate and broker’s license to help with the business. With the progression of Roger’s Parkinson’s Disease, she focused on his care and devoted much of her time to his well-being until his passing in October of 2007. In 2016, Margaret left Clarion to relocate closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family and found tremendous joy in spoiling her grandkids.

Left to cherish her memory are her four daughters, Michelle (Doug) Kinnison, Lisa (Robin) Gist, Lori (Dan) Block, and Amy (Jean-Francois) Martini; grandchildren, Alex and Zach Kinnison, Jessica Provost, Danan, Brennan, and Keaton Block, Luc and Elise Martini; great -grandchildren, Clayton and Coooper Provost; brother, Howard (Mary) Fosse; niece, Jennifer and nephew, Justin.

Those who have preceded Margaret in death are her parents, Helena and Halvor, and her husband, Roger.

A special thank you to the staff at Edencrest in Johnston and to the Care Initiative hospice team for the care and compassion shown to her.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date in the spring of 2025.

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