Margaret (Margie) A. Sheik, 94, of Bern, KS, died on Thursday evening, February 18, 2016, at her home in Green Valley, AZ.

Margie was born on January 7, 1922 in Seneca, KS, the daughter of Valentine and Ida Holthaus Koehler. She grew up on a farm NE of Seneca and graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School in 1940. After high school she went to Clark Business School in Topeka.

Margie returned to Seneca after completing Business School and acquired a part-time job at the Farm Security Office.  She was also employed by “Joe’s Sandwich Shop” which is where she met Jim.  Jim claimed he had to eat a lot of sandwiches in order to get Margie to go out with him.  Once WWII started, Margie acquired full time employment in the Ration Office in Seneca from 1941 to 1943.  She then supported her husband Jim’s career as a banker with the State Bank of Bern and the Citizens State Bank in Seneca.   Jim and Margie purchased the State Bank of Bern in 1966. Margie’s greatest accomplishment was being a fantastic full time caregiver.   She was like a loving drill sergeant in the raising of the 6 Sheik children; assigning chores, teaching responsibility, good behavior, and kindness to others. Upon Jim’s semi-retirement in 1984, they continued to be involved in the Bern Community and spending time in Green Valley, AZ.

Margie was very devoted to the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  She belonged to the Nemaha County Catbackers, Bern Bridge Club, supported Jim with the Independent Bankers Association, and many activities in the Bern community. Margie enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing cards especially bridge, travelling, and hosting many gatherings with family and friends.

Margie married James E. Sheik on January 13, 1944 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They enjoyed a wonderful life together for 67 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Sheik; her parents, Valentine & Ida Koehler; 3 brothers, Valentine (Buddy) Koehler, Kenneth Koehler, and Walter Koehler; 2 sisters, Rachael Koehler Hunninghake; and Anna Marie Koehler; granddaughter, Jennifer Rosengarten; and son-in-law, Mike Jensen.
She is survived by her children, Alice Aiken of San Antonio, TX, Jeannie (Charles) Rosengarten of Green Valley, AZ, Linda (Larry) Raitt of Derby, Bill (Terry) Sheik of Bern, Julie Jensen (Hardy Eteeyan) of Mayetta and Cindy (Kent) Scott of Agency, MO; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Koehler Mergenmeier of Topeka; the communities of Bern and Green Valley, and many, many friends.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, Februray 25th with a Rosary prayed at 7 PM, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. A service will be held at 11AM, Friday, February 26th, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Bern City Cemetery.  A celebration of her life will be held at Bern Community Building following the services. All friends and relatives are invited and encouraged to attend and celebrate Margie’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be left in Margie’s memory for the Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church and/or for the Bern Community Support Foundation, in care of the State Bank of Bern.