Herald Journal Publishing

Publisher of Herald Journal, Dassel-Cokato Enterprise Dispatch, Delano Herald Journal, McLeod County Chronicle, Arlington Enterprise, & West Carver News

Margaret Tuininga Obituary – 3/7/09


Margaret 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 summer Bible camps. 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.

Visitation took place one hour prior to the service at the church.

Casket bearers were Mark and Annette Smieja; Jim and Janelle DeZeeuw; Brian and Julie Johnson; Derek and Karen Andol; Robert and Natalie Schaller; John and Sarah Wabbe; and Matthew Huseby.

Arrangements were by Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.