Obituary - Marie K. James, 63, formerly of Fort Madison

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Marie Kay James, 63, devoted mother and grandmother, passed into the arms of her loving Savior on Monday, January 20, 2020 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Marie, affectionately known as Babi to her five grandchildren, was born on March 25, 1956 in Fort Madison, IA to Garman and Frances Vikturek. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Andrea (Tim) McGinn of Thornton, CO and Rachel (Jack) Watson of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Tavin, Noelle, Zivon, Ezven and Laurel; her mother; siblings Sharon Morris, Dianne (Don) Panek and Ken (Shenda) Vikturek; niece Angela (Kevin) Henkens, nephew Tyler Houseal, and great-nephew Quentin Bonar. She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas James; brother-in-law Cecil Morris; and her father.

Marie graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1974. With an adventurous spirit, she moved to Colorado with Tom and they married in 1978. Their love for camping, hunting, and skiing kept them near the mountains where they soon began their family. She fully embraced mom-life: she volunteered in the girls’ classrooms, sewed all their Halloween costumes, and took them on many day trips around the state with neighbors and best-friends, The Gerlocks. In 1991 they moved to Texas and Marie began her administrative career at Blue Cross Blue Shield; she retired in 2018 after 25 years of service.

That August, Marie moved back to Colorado to be closer to her daughters and their families; but Babi was most excited to be reunited with her precious grandchildren, aka her “babies”. When she wasn’t busy playing trains or tea party, she enjoyed shopping for antiques, sampling delicious foods from quaint eateries, watching Turner Classic Movies, taking excursions to unique landmarks or local tourist-traps, and having fun with her family and friends. Marie was always joking and smiling; her infectious laugh will be missed tremendously.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Fort Madison, IA in June; details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a savings account benefiting “Babi’s Babies” has been established in Marie’s honor. Contributions to the Marie James Memorial Fund can be made at any Wells Fargo location.

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