Margaret Claeys

Margaret Claeys, 86, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 12, in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.

Margaret G. Curtis was born November 18, 1939, in Davenport, Iowa, to Roy and Leila (Rohwer) Curtis. Margaret lived a life marked by hard work, determination, and a deep devotion to the people she loved. The youngest of nine children, she grew up on the family farm south of McCausland, Iowa, where she loved riding horses every day. She attended a one-room school before graduating from DeWitt High School. She was married to John Carlin, with whom she had three children. They later divorced. Margaret married George Claeys on October 24, 1999. The couple enjoyed nearly 20 years together. He preceded her in death on February 6, 2019.

Margaret was a trailblazer in the working world, being one of the first women to be employed as a school bus driver in DeWitt. A dedicated and independent woman, Margaret owned her own business, Lincolnway Marketing, and continued working until the age of 75 - a testament to her strength, commitment, and drive.

Margaret was smart and competitive, with a love of sports that stayed with her to the end. She even had a fantasy baseball team every year. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeye fan. She loved playing Bridge, achieving the level of Sapphire Life Master, and even in her advanced years had learned to play online. She was famous for her baked goods, especially her Swedish Tea Ring, and was a wonderful cook. Faith and family were at the center of Margaret’s life.

Surviving are her children, John (Karey) Carlin, Nancy Hughes, and Julie (Keith) Walker all of DeWitt; grandchildren, Teisha, Jessica (Mitch), Shayla (Austin), Ryan (Allison), Brittney, Allison (Nathan), Lucas (Haylea), Chelsey (Ryan), Lindsey (Sean), Cody (Courtney); 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, David Curtis; sisters-in-law, Holly and Marge; nieces and nephews, as well as George’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, George, she was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Mark Hughes; siblings, Ruth, Helen (Bob), Ray (Tulane), Ben (Pat), Ralph, Robert (Dorothy), and Martin, and sister-in-law, Marcia; as well as nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Ohl Strong Foundation at ohlstrong.org

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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