Margaret (Marge) Tuininga, age 90, of Montevideo, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo.She was born Sept. 28, 1918, in Phoenix, IL to John and Johanna (Rysdyk) Rynders. As a small child, she moved with her family to Lebanon, IA. They later moved to Hull, IA, where she grew up and attended Hull Christian Grammar School.
Margaret worked as a housekeeper for her father and other families until she was united in marriage to Harry Tuininga July 10, 1941, in Hull, IA. They farmed near Boyden, IA for 14 years before moving to a farm north of Montevideo in 1956.
In 1981, they retired and moved to Pelican Rapids, MN, where they lived until returning to Montevideo in 1990. Margaret was currently a resident of the Luther Haven Nursing Home.
An active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Montevideo, Margaret taught Bible school and Sunday school, and was a cook at Frontier Bible Camp. She was a foster parent to 16 children from 1960 to 1980, and her home was always open to local children for babysitting. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and family activities.
Margaret is survived by three daughters: Beverly Schaller and her husband, Gary, of Maynard, MN; Lynda Huseby and her husband, Paul, of Dassel; and Marilyn Lopez and her husband, Tom, of St. Paul; a son-in-law, Gary Johnson of Montevideo; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Antonette Rynders of Edina; as well as by a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harry in 2002; a daughter, Patricia Johnson in 1990; five brothers; and seven sisters.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Calvary Church in Montevideo with the Revs. Roger Bergfalk and John Runyan officiating. Organist was Ruth Speh. Vocalist Diane Nelson sang “Safe In The Arms Of Jesus.” Congregational hymns were “Day By Day,” and “Face To Face With Christ My Savior.” Interment was in the Leenthrop Memorial Cemetery.
Marge Tuininga was a wonderfully divine nobody in my young life. While I haven't had contact with her in many years, I still remember her as a feisty, cheerful person who never quit. There is definitely something to be said for Sunday School teachers who take their jobs seriously. Thanks Marge. I suspect you and Harry are having a truly wonderful weekend!
