Marjorie Lokke Heiss

June 2, 1919 - October 21, 2016

Marjorie Lokke Heiss, 97, of Jacksonville, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at her home at 1106 W. College Avenue. She has resided in Jacksonville since 1947. Born June 2, 1919, in Egan, South Dakota, to Dr. Benjamin Lokke and Lillian Olson Lokke, she married Ralph Brandenburg Heiss Dec. 24, 1941, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Marjorie Heiss was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Heiss; her parents, Dr. Benjamin Lokke and Lillian Lokke; her sister, Verna Hervig; and her brother, Virgil Lokke. Marjorie Heiss is survived by her four children, Alanna Heiss, of New York City; Andrea Heiss of Columbia, Missouri; Lyndon Heiss of Jacksonville; and Ralph Lokke Heiss of New York City; and three grandchildren, Lokke Highstein of New York City; Alanna Ormiston of Los Angeles, and Lillian Kari Ormiston of Boise, Idaho. An active member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, she attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from Illinois College. She belonged to the College Hill Club for more than fifty years and also participated in a bridge club. She served on diverse committees that supported public school education in the community. Marjorie Heiss taught reading to students at Jefferson School in District 117 for seventeen years and participated in the Interracial Educational Program in 1974 at the University of Illinois, Springfield. A lifelong learner, Marjorie studied and traveled around the world. At the age of 80 she applied to Oxford University and was accepted in an archival studies program in architecture and customs in British villages. She also attended the International Summer Program at the University of Oslo, Norway. She played the flute and piccolo in an award-winning high school band in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Marjorie and her husband enjoyed dancing throughout their lives and received recognition for their ballroom dancing while in South Dakota. Traveling with her husband, Ralph Heiss, and her children, she explored Europe, Russia, Thailand, South Korea, China and the United States. A lively teacher and avid reader, Marjorie Heiss enjoyed the intellectual and cultural community of Jacksonville. Her influence on her family and community will continue to be felt for many years. In Jacksonville, she enjoyed friendships with former students and colleagues. with whom she worked, worshipped and served. Her influence on her family and community will continue to be felt for many years. Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. Oct. 24, Monday at the Governor Duncan Mansion in Duncan Park. Friends and former students are invited to attend the visitation and may R.S.V.P. at 217-245-4770 for the Monday visitation. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 25, at the Congregational United Church of Christ with internment in the Exeter Cemetery. For more information please go online at www.dawsfuneralhome.com.