Obituary of Margaret Jane Hootman

Margaret Jane Hootman died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Monday, December 23, 2013. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, December 28, 2013, at Welsh Congregational Church near Sharon Center, followed by a time of fellowship and lunch. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Margaret Hootman Memorial Fund through the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. She was born on July 18, 1921, in Knoxville, Iowa, the youngest child of Lazarus and Sarah Johns, who had immigrated from Wales, and joined a brother William and a sister Gwyneth. The family moved to Colfax, Iowa, in 1930. After graduating from high school, she worked at the telephone company in Colfax as an operator. In 1941, she married Lyle Coulter and in 1946 had a son, Charles. After Lyle's death, Margaret attended Drake University and received her teaching degree. She taught second grade for a number of years and continued to keep in touch with many of her former students on Facebook and through emails and visits. In 1952, she married Richard Hootman and moved to Iowa City. She was a substitute teacher in the Iowa City elementary schools, and from 1977 until her retirement in 1989, she worked for the City of Iowa City as a receptionist. Margaret loved to travel and had two exceptional trips to the Big Island of Hawaii where her grandson Keith Lyons lives. She also traveled to Wales, Canada, Texas, Oregon, California, and at 88, to the US Open in New York City. She also shared many adventures with her dear friends the Ladies Of Leisure (the LOLs) visiting elephant graves and climbing windmills! A highlight recently was to see Madeline Albright's pin exhibit in Cedar Rapids. Margaret also enjoyed playing the organ occasionally at the Welsh Church, most recently on her 92nd birthday this year. Margaret will be remembered for her many talents including an affinity for the piano, giving piano lessons to the neighbor children, knowledge of Welsh history, and most of all for her sweet smile, her pure heart and her love of her family, all children and her loving neighbors and her social networking on Facebook! She will be missed by many! Margaret is survived by her daughter, Katie Lammers and husband Dan and their children Gwen Lammers, Keith Lyons and his partner Estee Nathanson; her son, Charles Coulter and wife Shari Coulter and their children Nick and Casey Coulter; son, Scott Hootman and his wife, Renee; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother and her husband, Richard. Margaret's family would like to thank our wonderful nurse Michelle from Iowa City Hospice, along with all the other staff. We would also like to thank Elder Services and Caring Hands and More for helping Margaret stay in her home on Wade Street. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Margaret's family.