Marie Ann Abkes

Marie Ann Abkes, 90, of Cedar Falls, Iowa died at NewAldaya Lifescapes, Memory Care Unit on Sunday, February 11, 2024.  She was born in Waterloo on October 26, 1933 to John and Elizabeth (Long) Wingert. Marie was employed by John Deere and retired from Hy-Vee (Crossroads). She married Milo Van Schoyck and they were later divorced. She married the love of her life, Theodore "Ted" A. Abkes on January 25, 1980.

Marie loved her family, friends, playing cards and dancing. She especially enjoyed all of the trips that she took with her husband and grandchildren. She was actively involved in her church, Bethel Presbyterian, for 32 years.

Marie is survived by her husband, Theodore "Ted" A. Abkes of Cedar Falls, IA; one daughter, Linda (Al) Haan of Cedar Falls; daughter-in-law, Connie Van Schoyck of Cedar Falls; two step-daughters, Tracy (Gary Ramos) Abkes of Waukesha, WI and Tammy (David) Jauregui of Pewaukee, WI; one foster daughter, Wendy Wolf of Waterloo; three grandchildren, Amanda (David) LeDoux, Brett Van Schoyck and Matthew Van Schoyck all of Cedar Falls, IA; three step-grandchildren, Amber Neubert of Waukesha, WI, Austin (Chloe) Raub of Maquoketa, IA, Bryant (Samantha) Abkes of Pewaukee, WI; two great-grandsons, Noah and Maximus LeDoux of Cedar Falls, IA; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Wingert; her best friend and sister, Patricia Converse; brother, John Wingert, along with four brothers and five sisters; two sons, Craig Van Schoyck, who died in infancy of Cystic Fibrosis, and Jeffrey Van Schoyck.

The family would like to thank the staff at New Aldaya Lifescapes, Memory Care Unit, for their excellent care of Marie over the past two years.

Visitation will be held in the Larsen Chapel at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The Funeral service will also be held at Larsen Chapel at Nazareth Lutheran Church (Entrance 7) in Cedar Falls on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Garden of Memories in Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.