Margaret Esther De Zwarte was born February 14, 1927, on a farm south of Pella, Iowa. She was the third of four children born to John and Marie (Goemaat) De Zwarte. Margaret received a grade school education at the Pleasant Grove Country School near her birthplace south of Pella. On February 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to Vernon D. Menninga, son of John S. and Margaret (Den Burger) Menninga. To this union seven girls were born: Twylah Sue, Marla Jean, Laura Beth, Lila Joy, Cynthia Lynn, Verla Ruth and a still born girl (Anita).  Following their marriage they farmed the Menninga family farm northwest of Pella. They lived on the farm until 1993 when they moved to their home in Pella.

Margaret loved to visit friends in their homes and in the nursing home. She could be seen walking through most of Pella well into her upper 80's to visit the "old people" in the nursing home. She was a volunteer at Work of our Hands, cut lace for Heritage Lace, and made longtime friends with the ladies she assisted in keeping their homes clean. She loved to garden, knit and crochet, and spending time with her family.

Margaret was a member of Covenant Reformed Church, where she had participated in an adult Bible study group.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Vernon of 74 years, and their family:

Twylah (Henry) Van Roekel

Gary (Tricia) Van Roekel

Kate (Nick) Kruzich

Jesse Crozier (Abi Salazar fiancée)

Lindsie (Matt) Schacherer

Samuel, Arabella

Nick Crozier, Elizabeth, Colton

Meghan (Dillon) Ponder

Dakota Jones, Jasmine Jones, Levi Jones

Gwen Van Roekel

Suzanne (Nick) Lenters

Gavin, Liam

Stephanie (Daren) Van Kooten

Sean Franje, Kaden, Abigail

Marla (Chuck) Vander Waal

Tricia (Dan) Vermeer

Brant (Kelsey), Isaac, Jack,  Ella

Todd (Emily) Vander Waal

Teagen, Anna, Nathan

Crystal (Jeff) Namminga

Jasmine, Sydney, Addison, Andrew

Laura (Arvin) Vos

Dale (Jennifer) Vos

Trinity, Treyton

Jana Vos

Brenda Vos (Derek Moyer fiancé)

Elizabeth Thomas, Beckett Moyer, Finley Moyer

Lila (Stanley) Boender

Shellene Grubbs

Alexander, Luke (Kylie Shullaw fiancée)

Justin (Michelle) Boender

Lane (Makayla)

Everleigh, and baby on the way

Noah (Samantha)

Jackson

Zechariah

Scott (Crystal) Boender

Emmit, Sullivan

James (Sara) Boender

Aubrey, Kayne

Cynthia (Mike) Arndt

Jeremy (Corissa) Arndt

Nicholas, Collin

Angie (Dennis) Parker

Isabella, Elliet

Verla (Greg) Bigbee

Heather Vander Heiden

Gage, Brady, Kjersten, Jace

Dustyn (Molly) Menninga

Henry, and baby on the way

LaCosta (Jeremy) Van Dyk

Zarah, Ariana, Madyson, Alexander, Josiah, Izabella

Morgan Bigbee

Dakota Bigbee

Ava

Margaret is also survived by her brother Verlan (Betty) De Zwarte of Chariton, and her brother-in-law Arvan (Betty) Menninga of Pella.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter in infancy,  grandson Wayne Van Roekel,  great grandson Samuel Boender, grandson-in-law Rusty Grubbs; sisters: Jennie (Henry) Van Essen, and Dorothy (Tudor G.) Ver Meer; and her sister-in-law Janet (Arie) Van Waardhuizen.

Thank you for the exceptional care given by the staff of the Oskaloosa Care Center.

Pella Christian Schools
Pella IA 50219