Margy Chamberlin – Urbandale, Iowa

Margy Chamberlin, 90, died on Dec. 11, 2023, at Bickford Senior Living in Urbandale, IA, after battling dementia for several years.
There will be a private family service.
Margaret (Margy) McFerran Cole was born Nov. 11, 1933, in Iowa Falls, IA, to Dr. Fern and Rilla Cole. She graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1951 and from Iowa State in 1955. She married Lawrence Eugene (Gene) Chamberlin on Aug. 14, 1955. Two children were born to this union: Catherine (Doug) Engstrom of Johnston, IA, and Steve (Mary) Chamberlin of Cedar Rapids, IA.
The family moved to Mobridge, SD, and purchased the Tribune in 1964. Margy got involved in the newspaper business immediately, becoming the bookkeeper and helping operate typesetting equipment. During the 1980s she wrote a nearly weekly column (My View) which offered her humor and insights on Mobridge, family life and other topics.
The Chamberlins moved to Brookings, SD, in 1989, where Margy enjoyed the opportunity to take classes at South Dakota State University. While in Brookings Margy was a docent at the art museum and volunteered as a conversational partner for Chinese students, several of whom became lifelong friends. Margy and Gene were also involved in the expansion and remodeling of the Journalism Building at SDSU.
In 2001, Margy and Gene moved to Ames, IA, to be closer to their children and other family members. They were active in journalism education at Iowa State with their funding of the Chamberlin Lecture and the Chamberlin Scholarship for Internships in Community Journalism. Margy was active in the chorus at Green Hills and also volunteered at Reiman Gardens for many years.
Margys words to live by were brighten the corner where you are, and she worked hard to brighten the days of friends and family. She did that by making people feel welcome, maintaining long-term friendships and reaching out to people with words of encouragement or congratulations, as appropriate.
In addition to her two children, she is survived by one granddaughter, Sarah Engstrom of West Des Moines, IA, her sister, Catherine McCord of Iowa Falls and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, parents and one sister preceded her in death.
In lieu of memorials, please remember Margy by brightening your corner of the world. For more details and a slideshow of Margys life, visit the Iles Funeral Home website at www.ilesfuneralhomes.com.