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Margaret Vandenberg

April 8, 1930 – December 22, 2015

Margaret “Marchien” Vandenberg was born on April 8, 1930 in the small town of Gasselternyveen in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. She was the older of two children, both daughters, born to Teunis and Alberta Vanderveen. As a very young child she enjoyed many adventures while living with her parents on their seafaring ship, “the Thriantha” which delivered goods along the coasts of Europe and the Scandinavian countries. During her school years she had to try living a normal life surviving with her family through the war. Margaret later went on to study to be a school teacher and during this time, began a wonderful pen-pal relationship with the love of her life, Tom Vandenberg, a young man who had already immigrated to Canada. After a very short courtship through letters and an even shorter visit to Holland Tom married Margaret on September 7, 1955 and whisked her back to the Rocky Mountains of B.C. to work in a sawmill. Their first home was a rustic cabin in the woods that they sometimes had to share with a handful of bachelors. It was a far cry from the culture of Holland but Margaret embraced it whole heartedly. In the mid 60’s they bought a farm and settled in the village of Telkwa. The farm provided a wonderful place to raise their six children.

Margaret had the heart of a servant and was a person all about relationships which was reflected in her connection with her children and with so many friends. Her love for the Saviour who died for her was so evident in the way she shared her faith with so many people. She was always ready to welcome you in with a cup of tea and a great conversation.

Margaret will be sadly missed by her children: Tony (Susan), Alan (Helen), Warren (Jenny), John (Anne), Bernice (Mike) Huitema, Rick (Kathleen); 27 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service for Margaret was held in the Faith Reformed Church in Telkwa on Dec. 30th. She was laid to rest beside her husband Tom in the Telkwa Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.raschraderfuneralhome.com.



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