Marjorie Lu Reuten

Marjorie Lu Reuten, 88, of Cottonwood, AZ, formerly of Upper Saddle River, NJ, died peacefully of natural causes on December 29, 2020 in Cottonwood, AZ, with family at her side.  She was born November 9, 1932 to Roger and Sara Esther Evans in Glendale, Arizona. By the age of four, her family left Arizona for Iowa.

Marge graduated from Sac City High School in Sac City, Iowa in 1951.  Following graduation, Marge was recruited to work at a Long Island, NY beach resort and later in secretarial positions in Washington, DC.  She enjoyed working in administrative positions at the F.B.I. (Fingerprint Dept.) and later, closely with J. Willard Marriot and son, Bill, of Marriot Hotels.  Upon her mother’s death, she returned to Iowa and in 1956 graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. degree in elementary education.  Following graduation, she worked as a stewardess on the first jet airliner for Eastern Airlines until her marriage in 1958 to Fredrick Reuten of Closter, New Jersey.  To this union were born 2 daughters, Laura and Elizabeth.  Marge was a full-time homemaker and mother until the late 1970’s when she attended the noted women’s secretarial school, The Berkeley School, in Ridgewood, NJ, leading to an administrative career with the NJ Bergen County Board of Realtors until her retirement in the 1990’s.  After losing her youngest daughter, Elizabeth, to cancer, Marge ended her 38 year residence in NJ.  In 1996, she left behind Upper Saddle River and her beloved Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church for sunny Sedona, AZ, to be nearer to Laura and 2 granddaughters, Charlotte and Lilah.

Marge’s next 24 years in Arizona were filled with a vibrant social life, complete with local church activities, community service, and many new friends.  For almost 4 years, she led the Sedona Singles Club and, as she was always fit and loved dancing, Marge was a member of the Red Rockin’ Grannies, a Sedona senior dance troupe, well into her 70’s.  Her heart always went out to the elderly, and for many years she delivered food and companionship through the Meals on Wheels program in Sedona and Cottonwood.  Marge’s tenderness for animals kept her involved with advocacy and support for homeless or abused animals, focusing on pets, farm animals & livestock, and various equine charities.

An avid traveler, she found much joy in exploring Arizona’s backroads, especially in Verde Valley and the vast Northern Arizona landscape, her favorite regions of the state.  She also loved visiting family in Iowa, and later, her relocated daughter and granddaughters in Saipan, Guam, and Hawaii.  She relished cruising the warm waters of the Caribbean and Mexico and had a special affinity for the Panama Canal.  Always ready to go anywhere, anytime with a twinkle in her eye and a quip on her tongue, Marge’s zest for life, people, and adventure will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her fortitude and energy during her most trying times were an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Marge is survived by her daughter, Laura Kessler (Tom) Pearson of Flagstaff, AZ; her granddaughters, Charlotte Kessler of Gilbert, AZ and Lilah Kessler of Tucson, AZ; her sister-in-law, Shannon (Grady) Bagget of Gulfport, Mississippi; her nieces, Nancy (Neil) VanHorn of Wadena, Iowa, Rene Barbierri of NJ, Marlene Sposa of AZ; her nephews, Dennis “Tex” Irwin of Monterey, CA, Joe and Roger Evans of Mississippi, Steven Sposa of PA, and Michael Sposa of NJ.

Marge was preceded in death by her ex-husband Fred, in 2001; her daughter, Elizabeth in 1987; her sister, Marilyn and bother-in-law, Ray Irwin; her brother, Robert Evans in 1969; her parents, Roger and Sara Evans; and her niece and nephew, Kathy and Scott Irwin.

Marjorie was interned at the Flagstaff Citizens’ Cemetery in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Donations can be made to Maggie’s Hospice of Cottonwood, AZ or, to Peaceful Valley Rescue in Texas;  [email protected].

Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to Bonnie and Bob Shimko of Arizona Care Management Solutions and their staff for their devoted assistance and care of Marge for over 5 years.