Margie Ikeler

Margie Nell Grimes was born on February 8, 1937, in Aspermont, Texas; her parents were Sis Annie and Elbert Grimes. She was the youngest of eight girls, along with two brothers: John and Elbert. John was the youngest of all. Margie was preceded in death by all her siblings except for Elbert, age 98, and Dora, age, 96. 

She married Gary Ikeler in 1955. His work took him to numerous towns across west Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico; their young family moved many times over the course of a decade. They had four children: Pamela Sue, Gay Nell, Ricky Edward, and Danny Ray Ikeler. Margie was predeceased by her husband, Gary, in1966 and daughter Gay Nell in 1968. Both were killed in separate, but tragic, accidents. By age 31 Margie had lost both her husband and a child. 

These traumatic losses would shape her world for the rest of her life. Never again would she be able to fully care for herself or her three young children. She found some solace and strength in the companionship of her sister Wanda. They eventually moved to Hamlin, Texas and lived there for many years. 

By the late 1960s Pam, Ricky, and Danny were living with their paternal grandparents in Abilene. The Ikeler's provided a loving home for a few years, but eventually the kids needed some "real" parents. 

Through a winding and, sometimes perilous series of events, the kids found a forever home in 1969 with Bill and Pat Mahanay in Burleson, Texas. They would thrive during their secondary school years, and all graduated from Burleson High School. The Mahanay's freely gave of their money, time, and love to guide these three teenagers to become productive members of society. They provided the kids with a healthy normal childhood. The three Ikeler's along with the Mahanay's three other children enjoyed many vacations and family activities. 

In 1995 we moved Margie and Wanda from Hamlin to Burleson. The house they were living in was dilapidated and they had no one there to help them. Danny, Pam, and I moved them here and helped them secure government subsidized housing. Danny drove the moving van, Pam drove our van with Margie and Wanda, and I drove Margie's old car which broke down just west of Weatherford. We had to abandon it on the shoulder of IH-20 and arrange for a tow truck to bring it to Burleson. Bill Mahanay put a new engine in it, and we gave it to Pat Mahanay's brother. 

Her sister, Wanda, passed away in 2002. After that we all helped take care of Margie and she lived a comfortable life for the next 20 years. She did suffer some decline over the past few years but was able to live on her own until about three years ago. Her mobility decreased and her mental turmoil increased. She suffered from some form of psychological terror - perhaps going all the way back to her early adult trauma. Her final year was spent at the Burleson Nursing Home. 

Margie left this mortal coil on December 3, 2025, and is survived by her children and their families. 

Danny and Kim Ikeler of Burleson Texas and their two children: 

Brooke Ikeler and Chris Townsend of New York City. 

Blair and Johnny King and their child: James. 

Rick and Melinda Ikeler of Abilene Texas and their two children: 

Erin and Ryan King and children Kyler and Paxten. 

Eric and Rita Ikeler and children: Via and Von. 

Pam and Michael Toole of Burleson Texas and their two children: 

Heidi and Chris Chappotin and their children: 

Torie, Ryan, Hudson, Ava, and Sam. 

Ryan and Lindsay Toole and their children: 

Jamas, Silas, Elias, and Jonas.