Margaret Joan Fogelson

Margaret Joan Fogelson, 87, passed away on July 21, 2025, in Bondurant, Iowa. Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Iles Westover Chapel. A memorial funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Iles Westover Chapel. Margaret will be interred in Glendale Cemetery following a reception at the funeral home.
Margaret was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 28, 1938, to Gordon and Florine (Ripperger) Cota. She attended St. Joseph's Academy in Des Moines. Margaret met a young man named Charles "Larry" Fogelson at Drake University, and they were soon married on October 5, 1957. The couple settled in Des Moines to raise their family and spent 57 wonderful years together before Larry's passing.
Margaret was a devoted mom who found immense joy in supporting her children and grandchildren. Whether it was cheering from the sidelines at a baseball game, or applauding their accomplishments at a gymnastics event; she was always there to offer her love and encouragement. Margaret was known for her gentle spirit and kind heart, and she always saw the good in people and the world around her.
Margaret and Larry often volunteered their time to help with St. Vincent de Paul functions, and they belonged to the Elks Club where Margaret would dress as a clown and throw out candy to children during parades. While working for the Head Start program at Drake University, Margaret dusted off the old clown costume and wore it to a fundraiser where she got to meet one of her idols, Harry Belafonte.
In retirement, Margaret and Larry embarked on many adventures together traveling across the country with friends and family, and they enjoyed settling down at their winter home in Mesa, Arizona, where they loved the warmth and sunshine.
Margaret is survived by her children: Deborah (David) Jackson of Redondo Beach, California, Mike (Monica) Fogelson of Roach, Missouri, and Jeffrey (Denise) Fogelson of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren: Jennifer (Pete) Johnson of Hoboken, New Jersey, Nyle (Brooke) Fogelson of Pella, IA, Miles (Bri) Fogelson of Grimes, Iowa, Megan Fogelson of Nashville, Tennessee, and Trevor (Liz) McGee of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Jayven, Brecken, Benjamin, Evan, Lily, and Cam; brother, Ed (Lois) Cota of St. Louis, Missouri; and many other loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Florine; husband, Larry; grandchildren, Nick Jesperson and Evan McGee; brother, Tom (Mary) Cota; and many other loving family members.
Memorials in Margaret's name can be made to the Iowa Chapter Alzheimer's Association or St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines.
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