Marjorie Bradshaw

Marjorie Maxine (Wilder) Bradshaw, age 78, passed away on Friday, April 18th, 2025, at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines. She was born January 2, 1947, to Frances Irene (Bowman) and Merlin Eugene Millsap in Osceola, Iowa, and was adopted by W. W. “Bud” Wilder when he and Frances married in 1952 and blended their families. Marge was educated in Osceola in the Clarke Community Schools, graduating in the class of 1965. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in history in 1970.

Marge married James Raymond Bradshaw on August 9, 1970, in Osceola, Iowa. They were the parents of three children: Jennifer, Christiana, and Jeffrey. She worked a variety of jobs and raised her children while the family moved frequently as James served United Methodist churches in Oregon and Wisconsin. Marge and James divorced in 1987.

Marge received a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, in 1988. She served three appointments in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church - Burt and Good Hope, Pleasantville, and Rockford and Marble Rock. After retirement, she returned to Osceola for 22 years before moving to assisted living in Indianola in June 2024.

Marge enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, music, needlework, sewing, and crafts. She was particularly fond of cats, having lived with many over the course of her life. She was a great listener who enjoyed conversations with friends. She was an active participant in the First Christian Church in Osceola, the church she grew up in.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and W. W. “Bud” Wilder, her grandparents, and her sister, Kristine Roberts.

She is survived by her children, Jenny (Molly Mosely) Bradshaw of Iowa City, Chris Bradshaw of Indianola, and Jeff Bradshaw of Iowa City; brothers, Tony (Marj) Wilder of Dothan, Alabama, Steve (Michelle) Wilder of Florence, Arizona, and Ken (Sue) Wilder of Osceola, and brother-in-law, Gane Roberts of Gunter, Texas, as well as a host of other family and friends.

Marge’s family will greet friends at a Visitation from 5-7 pm Tuesday, May 6th at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 7th at 1 pm at Kale Funeral Home Osceola, with Rev. Dr. Al Adams officiating. A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com. Burial of cremains will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola, Iowa, in early July. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Heifer Project International www.heifer.org or a local animal shelter. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com