03/12/2026
Trailblazer, Marjorie Stubbe, 95, of Monticello, IA Passes - Camp Courageous is saddened by the passing of Marjorie Stubbe, 95, of Monticello, IA. Marge Hoffman grew up living near Camp Courageous, decades before Courageous was even a thought. Her father had to walk over the Maquoketa River on a footbridge connecting the Jordan to Pictured Rocks. He lived on Richland Road, and his one room schoolhouse was on the Pictured Rocks side of the river. Today that one-room schoolhouse is the home of Camp’s Facilities Director, Cory Mohr.
Marge was a huge advocate of physical fitness, not only in the classroom/gym/out-of-doors…but as a lifetime passion. Marge led by example, having been a University of Iowa student in the field of physical education and an Iowa cheerleader from 1950-1953. Each summer she would return home and teach swimming to area children.
Marge loved to bring students to Camp Courageous to hike the trails through the forest…and on many days, she would check-in, in the office and go for walks in the forest on her own….she loved nature.
Marge was a trailblazer and had the lifetime thrill to watch women’s athletics grow from nothing to something on an even level as men’s…sometimes exceeding! Throughout the decades she took leadership roles in Iowa State Advisory Board for Hight School Girls Athletic Union and played a huge role in all women’s sports.
Marge’s passion also extended to those with special needs…giving them the same opportunity to play on a level playing field as the athletically gifted.
Marge Stubbe has been around long enough that she taught Camp Courageous Board Member, Jim Zimmerman, in 6th grade! She later subbed for Jim at Sacred Heart. Jim talked of what a great teacher she was.
Along with taking students, family and friends on nature hikes (she was exceptional on IDing plants, trees, and loved wild edibles), Marge volunteered endless hours helping with special camper events like the Back-To-School Festival and the Spring-Break-Bash, where she provided actives to thousands of campers. She loved being around the campers.
In recent years Marge loved when Camp Courageous staff brought animals to her, at Pennington Square (Camp-To-You). Camp staff like Sue Chapman and Kaite Ryan brought Tater and Tot…a couple guinea pigs to Marge, who was thrilled!
In addition to watching women’s sports grow by leaps and bounds, Marge had the opportunity to watch Camp Courageous grow from a tree farm to the wonderful facility it is today. Over the years Marge was very involved and taught many a Camp Courageous Counselor.
Marge’s goal in life was to “surround your life with beauty and fun and share it with others.”
Camp’s sympathy goes out to Marge’s son, Steve, along with her many friends. Her legacy will live on at Camp and through the lives of her thousands of students over the decades.
