Photo courtesy of Cox-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service
Aug 27, 1939 - Dec 12, 2025
To the Embree kids, I am so sorry to hear of Marge's passing. My sincere condolences to you all. I often think of the fun and laughter shared in the old neighborhood.
Teri Adamson
December 31, 2025 | Osceola, IA
My sympathies to her children. Would love to get in contact with Lisa. Many memories of this family from our younger days.
-Sue (Young) Rich
[email protected]
Sue (Young) Rich
December 24, 2025 | BRIGHTON, IA | Family
Angela Baughman
December 19, 2025
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Char Thompson
December 18, 2025 | Grinnell, IA | Coworker
Marge's great grandmother, Agatha Kaufman, raised my mother - as real mother passed 2 weeks after mom was born. Lots of memories thru the years! What a homecoming, Marge! R I P!
ruth (Earnest) Heck
December 18, 2025 | Washington, IA
Mom, I miss you so much. Thank you for all you gave us. I will never forget the countless things you taught me♥ Lisa
December 14, 2025
Margelene Kay Richards peacefully passed away, surrounded by her children on December 12, 2025. Marge was born to Raymond and Hazel Fritz on August 27th, 1939, in Washington, Iowa. She graduated from Washington High School in 1957. In 1960, she graduated from St. Ambrose University and began her nursing career. Throughout her fifty years of nursing, Marge worked in several areas, including general practice, surgery, geriatrics, emergency care, and more. Marge touched many lives as a caring and dedicated nurse. She was respected and revered by her colleagues. Marge loved her career so much, she was often quoted as saying, “nursing doesn’t seem like work to me.” It was her calling.
Marge married Jack Richards on October 19th, 1984. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack; father, Raymond Fritz; mother, Hazel Fritz; brothers, Tom Fritz, Mike Fritz, Bob Fritz; sister Linda (Fritz) Leyden; and sister-in-law, Julie Fritz. Marge leaves the following who will cherish her memory: children, Lisa Embree Pontier (Tim), Susan Embree German (Scott), Mark Embree (Julie), Gina Embree Beck (Chad); brother, Ted Fritz; sistes-in-law, Annette Fritz and Pam Fritz; and brother-in-law, Roger Leyden. Marge had 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her biggest joys in life were homemaking and watching her grandchildren grow-up.
There will be a private family gathering to honor Marge’s life. Condolences only may be sent to family members or Cox-Smith Funeral Home.
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