Alma Steine Oxley

Born in Plover, IA on April 26, 1911
Departed on August 18, 2005. Resided in Decorah, IA.

Memorial

*** Alma "Peggy" Steine Oxley, 94, long time Decorah resident, died peacefully on Thursday, August 18, at Riverview Manor, Pleasant Valley, IA. following a long illness. Visitation and a celebration of her life will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 24 at 1:30 PM at Decorah Lutheran Church where friends may call after 12:30 PM on Wed. Burial at the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.
Born Alma Amelia Buck on April 26, 1911, the daughter of Richard and Maggie Miller Buck, she grew to adulthood on the family farm near Plover, IA, a middle child in a family of ten children. Upon graduation from Plover High School, she decided to study cosmetology and moved to Des Moines, where she worked as a housemaid to pay her way through "beauty school". While there, she picked the nickname "Peggy", which remained her chosen name for the rest of her life. After completing her training, Peggy took a job at the Delux Beauty Shoppe in Decorah. She soon met a handsome bachelor named George A. "Bub" Steine. On September 18, 1933 they eloped and were married at Brainerd, MN, where they enjoyed their honeymoon, camping and fishing.
It was a happy life in Decorah as they worked and lived on a farm south of town with Grandpa Gilbert N. Steine. Two sons, Deane Richard and Kenneth George, were born during their years on the farm. In 1944 they bought a house in Decorah and moved to town. Shortly after, a daughter, Georgie Ann, was born. The biggest change in Peggy's life occurred when the love of her life, "Bub", died suddenly on December 19, 1961.
At the age of 54, Peg started over, marrying Aulden Oxley on October 23, 1965. He passed away in 1979. Peggy worked for many years in the business office of JCPenney, retiring in 1976. In her retirement years, Peggy enjoyed world wide travel, but her favorite times were those spent with family or fishing one of the many trout streams around Decorah. This passion for fishing was shared with her middle child, Ken, and they enjoyed many fishing adventures together.
Peggy was a member for over 70 years of Decorah Lutheran Church, where, in her younger days she was a Sunday School teacher and active in the Ladies Aid. She was a wonderful cook and gracious hostess who delighted in preparing everyone's favorites for family gatherings. She also enjoyed flowers and gardening, playing cards, crafts and volunteering.
In 1994, Peggy moved to Walden Place Retirement Community in Iowa City to be nearer her family. She resided there until 2003, when declining health necessitated a move to Bettendorf Health Care Center, and then to Riverview Manor.
She is survived by three children, Deane and wife, Charmie, of Loveland, CO; Ken and wife Ardy, of Bettendorf; and Georgie and husband Larry Schuster, of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are grandchildren, Cindy Taylor, Danette Gary Marsh, Dana Anisa Steine, Corey Debbie Steine, Steve Sacha Steine, Joel Steine, R.J. Baxter Lynn Marie Murphy, and Melissa John Jackovin, and great grandchildren, Nathan and Elyse Phillips, Sara Marsh, Alyssa and Alec Steine, Arabella Steine, Samantha and Fiona Steine, Max Steine, Olivia and Emma Jackovin. One sister, Dorothy O'Neal, also survives her.
Though her memory had long ago faded, Peggy always kept her sweet disposition. She had a ready smile for all who were her loved ones or caregivers. A loving mother and grandmother, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Memorials can be directed to Decorah Lutheran Church.

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