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Margaret Louise (Erskine) Houser of Grinnell formally of Moulton passed away Monday, Sept 26, 2022 at the age of 84. Born March 9, 1938 to Paul & Louise Erskine, she grew up in the Centerville Iowa area and graduated from Centerville High School. From a young age, she loved things in nature--flowers, leaves, birds and animals. In her high school years, she developed a love for Home Economics classes learning to cook, sew & how to take care of a home. She decided during those years her dream in life was to get married and have babies.
Margaret met the love of her life-Bob while he was cruising the Centerville square. They moved to Newton Iowa, got married in 1956 and started their family. She planted gardens full of vegetables, flowers and preserved the produce from her garden so her family could enjoy home-grown vegetables all year long. Margaret became an excellent seamstress; she made clothes for her children, their dolls, several bridesmaid dresses, a bridal gown, clothes for her grandchildren, drapes, quilts and many other items. In between chasing cows, gardening and taking care of four children, Margaret used her love of cooking as a cook for the Newton School system from 1968-1995.
Margaret enjoyed being involved in her church from rocking babies, teaching Sunday School, helping in VBS, along with attending Bible Studies and other events. Her faith in God was her stronghold and only grew stronger throughout all the ups and downs that life threw her way. She always had a caring heart for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren--asking about each of them and their situation. Her caring heart went beyond her own family to friends and extended family. Even in some of her last conscious moments she was asking about how someone was doing.
Beloved mother to Aileen (Mike) Brown, Roberta (Kiley) Kirby, Anita (Dennis) James & Wayne (Dana) Houser. Cherished grandmother to Paul (Rachelle) Mellick, Ryan (Crystal) Mellick, Curtis (Caitlin) Mellick, Clayton Kirby, Zachary (Katie) James, Colton (Nicole) James, Josiah (Hannah) James, Whitney Houser (Aaron Todd), Austin (Stefanie) Houser & Hailey (Jesse) Houser-Wadle. Dearest Great Grandmother of 16. Devoted sister to Pauline (Bob) James. Dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin & friend to so many. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; brother, James; great grandson, Corbin and her parents.
Funeral service will be Monday, October 3, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia, Iowa. Interment will take place immediately following at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. Visitation will be Monday, October 3, 2022 at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia, Iowa.12-1:00 pm. Memorials may be given to Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.