Mardell A. Kirchhoff, 84, of Tripoli, died Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.
Funeral Services will be held at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Marilyn J Sargent officiating. Interment will follow at the Faith United Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, September 10th, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and one hour preceding the service at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Mardell Ann, daughter of Henry and Minnie (Pries) Meswarb, was born August 20, 1934, on the family farm in rural Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli (now known as Faith United Church of Christ). Mardell received her education in the Tripoli Schools and graduated from Tripoli High School in 1952. She worked at Crittenden Produce and Frese’s Variety Produce for several years. On September 20, 1953, she was united in marriage with Dennis Kirchhoff at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church. To this union, four children were born, Judy, Mike, Kraig, and Kristi. The family made their home on the family farm, rural Tripoli. In 2012, Mardell and Dennis moved to Mallard Point in Cedar Falls. Following Dennis’ death on May 12, 2015, Mardell remained living at Mallard Point prior to moving to Rosewood Estate in Waterloo recently. She was a lifelong member of Faith United Church of Christ where she was active in the Women’s Fellowship and served on the funeral lunch committee. Mardell enjoyed ceramics, quilting, baking, bowling (was a member of a local bowling team), sitting with friends at the gazebo, cards, painting and puzzles. Mardell and Dennis participated in the Tripoli Variety Show for many years, to which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Mardell is survived by her four children, Judy (Ruben) Muniz of Waterloo, Mike (Sue) Kirchhoff of Sumner, Kraig (Lisa) Kirchhoff of Independence, and Kristi (Rick) Foelske of Tripoli; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Rosenthal of Duluth, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Darlys Meswarb; and brother-in-law, Vernon Kirchhoff of Cedar Falls.
In addition to her parents, and husband, Dennis, she was preceded in death by her sister, Marlys Leisinger; brother, Virgil Meswarb; two brothers-in-law, Doug Rosenthal and Harold Leisinger; and sister-in-law, Verona Kirchhoff.
