Margaret VanderArk

Margaret VanderArk was always happy and ready to share a warm smile with anyone near. She was outgoing and had many friends, yet it was well known that she viewed caring for her family to be her greatest joy.

It was during a time of prosperity and endless opportunities in America that Margaret’s story began. She was born on February 3, 1923, to Henry and Hattie (Nyenhuis) Rozema in Dorr, Michigan. Margaret was one of seven children in her family and was raised on the family farm. She fondly recalled memories of life on the farm and was always able to reap the rewards of having a green thumb. Margaret attended Moline Christian School, but only through the eighth grade. She left school to clean houses in order to provide additional income for her family as they weathered the storm of the Great Depression.

Just a bit down the road, Margaret met and married Peter Barense. They were later blessed with four children together. Margaret was predominantly a homemaker, but she did work the third shift at Sackner Products for several years. Her life drastically changed in 1965 with the death of her husband, leaving her to raise her four children on her own.

Margaret focused on raising her children, yet was in for a delightful surprise when she met and married Everett VanderArk. He had children of his own, and Margaret became a wonderful mother to them as well. Margaret and Everett enjoyed golfing together, and Margaret even earned three holes-in-one throughout her golfing career! They also wintered in Florida for several years where they made many friends and of course, golfed as well. Margaret was deeply saddened with Everett’s death in 2001.

There were many interests that Margaret pursued. Faith was a cornerstone in her life, and she was a member of 12th Street Christian Reformed Church and later, West Leonard Christian Reformed Church. Margaret loved to crochet, even donating afghans to the Red Cross, and she could complete the Sunday crossword puzzle. She loved to read novels and regularly went to the library or exchanged books with her children.

Margaret VanderArk was a woman of many gifts. She could laugh with people – and at herself. One always knew where Margaret stood on an issue, yet she was never forceful with her opinions. She was a good listener, and she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. Even when faced with trials in her life, Margaret remained strong with her faith as her constant companion. She will be dearly missed.

Margaret VanderArk died on January 11, 2010. Margaret’s family includes her children and step-children, Shirley Beugelink, Barb (Mike) Flick, Jim (Barb) Barense, Pat (Dave) Shepard, Dar (Sandy) VanderArk, Karen VanderArk, Marvin (Janet) VanderArk; Les’s children, Lisa (Jim) Szczepaniuk, Brian (Ruby) VanderArk; along with many other grandchildren and great grandchildren; her sisters, Helen (Herm) Scholten, Harriet VanDorp, and sister-in-law Hilda Rozema; along with several nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her first husband, Peter Barense; and by her second husband, Everett VanderArk; a grandson, Michael Flick; and by her step-son, Les VanderArk. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 15 at 11 a.m. at West Leonard Christian Reformed Church. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Marge’s family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial donations to Faith Hospice are appreciated. To share a memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com