Margaret "Maggie" Mcdowell

Margaret “Maggie” McDowell, 89, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Iowa River Hospice Home. Born Margaret Ann Dayhuff on October 2, 1931 in Nevada, Iowa, she was the daughter of Leo Merrel “Merle” and Esther (Telfer) Dayhuff. She attended Nevada High School, graduating with the class of 1949 and went on to graduate from Thompson School of Beauty. Maggie gave birth to her only child, John Craig Koch, on September 27th, 1952, and was a loving and devoted mother to him until, and long after, his passing on July 29th, 1994. Maggie was united in marriage to Norman “Pete” McDowell on December 27, 1969. They were married for 16 years before his passing in 1984. Even after his death she would say he was the love of her life. Maggie owned her own beauty shop, ran concessions at Marshalltown Community College, and worked at Casey’s General Store for 20 years. Many remember her from this time and, a friend to all, she never forgot a name. The beautician in Maggie was very proud of her natural, dark hair lasting into her eighties. Maggie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and she enjoyed gardening, bowling, and volunteering at the The Iowa Veteran’s Home. Family was very important to Maggie and she loved spending time with her grandkids. Maggie also adored her pets over the years, especially her cats, who she considered family too. She will be remembered as being a kind, compassionate, devoted, giving woman, who could always make the best out of bad situations. Left to cherish her memory are her 7 grandchildren: Rodney Shogren, Raymond Shogren, Richard Shogren, Jeffry (Stacey) Nichols, Nicole (Jake) Reynolds, Patrick Koch, and Ali (Lyle) Sisson; great-grandchildren: Boden Nichols and Cohen and Ryker Reynolds; her sister Esther “Lee” Millett; sister-in-law Dena (Bill) Zuercher; step-daughter, Tammy (Bob) Nichols, and daughters-in-law: Terry (Stan) Shogren and Holly Harrelson. Maggie is preceded in death by her husband, Pete; her son, John, her parents, and her beloved cat, Otis. Funeral services for Maggie will take place on Thursday, January 28 at 10:30 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home, followed by burial at Marietta Cemetery in rural Marshalltown. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 9:30 A.M. The family would also like to extend an invitation to meet at Vaughn's Pub for a time of gathering after the burial. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. View the service live stream: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/