Marion M. Bachtell, 73, of West Burlington, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at her home.
Born March 16, 1950, in Muscatine, she was the daughter of Francis C. "Ted" Sr. and Anna B. Cockrell. On Aug. 12, 1969, she married David Eugene Bachtell, they divorced in 1996.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1968.
Marion worked for several years as a janitor for and retired from SCC Southeastern Community College. Following her retirement, she lovingly cared for her father in his later years until he passed away in 2008
Marion was a member of Civil Air Patrol for several years. Many years ago she helped to found the Commodore Club in Burlington and the Southeast Iowa Astronomy Club. She was always very interested in genealogy and astronomy. Her genealogy research added many generations to the family tree along with interesting facts and stories around those. She had an excellent talent for sewing and ceramic crafts. She loved Gnomes and had a nice collection of those. Her favorite Gnome was the one that said "Bite Me". She loved reading and listening to audio books.
Survivors include her son, Anthony (Carrie Smith) Bachtell of Havre, Mont.; two grandchildren, Amber Michelle and Michael Anthony Bachtell; brother, Francis C. "Ted" Cockrell, Jr. of Burlington; sister, Teresa A. "Teri" Cockrell of West Des Moines; three nephews, Johnathan (Carrie) Cockrell, Joseph Cockrell and Sean (Lynn) Cockrell; two nieces, Sarah (Mike) Palmer and Kerry (Mike) Robertson; and her long time friend and roommate, Debi Leaming Sherwood.
She was preceded in death by her parents, six aunts: Loretta Arlene Thompson, Marjorie Conklin, Jean Holden, Bessie Wertz, Mary Riser, Peggy Miller, one uncle, Paul Donavon Thompson and sister-in-law, Mary Cockrell, and several cousins.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
There will be no visitation or services. Private family burial will be held at Harrison Cemetery in rural Wapello at a later date.