Marjorie Ellen Harned

Marjorie Ellen Harned, 102, Cedar Falls, died Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Stanard Family Assisted Living under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice.

Marjorie was born June 30, 1923, in Cedar Falls to the late Walter and Martha (Hansen) Olsen. Following her graduation from Cedar Falls High School in 1941, she attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) studying in the field of medicine. She followed her sister’s path to study nursing and earning her RN degree from Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, MN in 1945. She married Lynn Harned on February 2, 1946 in Cedar Falls. The couple celebrated 75 years together before his death in 2021. In 1957 she started working as a school nurse for the Cedar Falls School District, retiring in 1983.

After Lynn’s retirement in 1988, the couple spent winters in Bonita Springs, FL, buying a condo there in 1995. They enjoyed their winters with friends; bicycling, gardening and enjoying what Florida winters had to offer. They returned to Iowa for the summer, enjoying their yard and garden. They often visited Northern Minnesota at this time, to enjoy fishing with friends and family as well appreciating the beauty of nature. After Lynn’s death, Marge decided to remain in Cedar Falls, as she considered Florida their ‘special place’. She moved into the Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls in 2021. Here she renewed friendships with people she had known for years, enjoying the activities that were offered, especially swimming and walking.

Marjorie was very active in the Cedar Valley as a member of the Becker-Chapman American Legion Auxiliary, Sartori Hospital Auxiliary, the Cedar Falls Lutheran Home Auxiliary, Cedar Falls Nurse’s Club, St Paul’s Lutheran Church Women’s Group and the Quilting group at St Paul’s.

Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Claudia (Alex) Hovden, and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lynn Harned; parents, Walter and Martha Olsen; son, Richard L. Harned; daughter-in-law, Suzanne Harned; and sister, Romona (Herb) Gilkey.

Her memory until her last breath remained incredible. She was one that settled many family discussions. It was always “call Marge, have her check her diary” which she faithfully kept all the years of her life. So much history in those volumes.

To everyone that touched Marge’s life a special thanks.

Please no plants or flowers, the family would prefer memorials directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Fresh Wind Ministries at the Western Home or Donor’s Choice.

No visitation, instead remember her 100th Birthday Celebration!

Marjorie’s memorial service will be at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 8 at St. Paul Lutheran Church (2812 Willow Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613).

You can shed tears because they are gone, or you can smile because they lived. You can close your eyes and pray they will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that they left for you. Your heart can be empty because you can't see them, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember only that they are gone, or you can cherish their memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind and feel empty, or you can do what they would want.

Smile.

Open your heart, Love...and go on.

by Elizabeth Ammons