Van Vark, Margaret (Allen) – 1915-2010

ALLEN, CUMMINGS, MASTERS, VAN VARK, WOOD

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 11/30/2010 at 18:33:36

Margaret (Allen) Van Vark, 95, of Pella died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Second Reformed Church in Pella. Interment will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, November 29, 2010

Additional information from Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home website:
Margaret Van Vark had a very long and lovely journey through life. Margaret began her great adventure on November 1, 1915 in Newton, IA, born to John and Mary Jane (Masters) Allen. Margaret grew up in Des Moines, moved to Clear Lake, IA in 1950, then to Pella, IA in 1965 where she promptly slipped on her wooden shoes, volunteered to work during Tulip Time and set out to befriend a good chunk of Pella’s population. Margaret loved Pella and worked hard to support her community as a member of Pella Business Women, Pella Chamber of Commerce, Pella Historical Society, Legion Auxiliary and the Pella Golf and Country Club. She was a proud supporter of Central College and member of Second Reformed Church. For 52 years, she rarely missed a meeting of TTT and delighted in its mission to send young girls to camp. Margaret served as president of the Pella TTT chapter at age 92, making her the oldest woman to ever serve in that honored capacity. She was an enthusiastic supporter of Pella’s business community and operated Allen Travel Agency in Pella from 1966 to 1995. Above all, Margaret loved Pella because that’s where she met and married Robert C. Van Vark on November 8, 1975. Margaret virtually defined what it meant to be a “people person.” She loved people and took great delight in having friends of all ages. Many people who needed a friend, mentor or cheerleader soon found themselves under Margaret’s wing. There was no such thing as a quick trip to the grocery store, dry cleaners or coffee shop with Margaret. Even buying a jug of milk turned into a social hour as she stopped to talk with almost everyone (and she knew everyone!) Sit anywhere with a group of strangers and she’d soon know everyone’s history. Even the most casual encounter with Margaret could soon grow into a lifelong friendship. In July 2010, Margaret was thrilled to be inducted into the Iowa Horsemen’s Hall of Fame for her pioneering work in the horse industry between 1940 and 1950. The recognition was all the sweeter for coming late in life. Margaret passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. She enjoyed life to the end. Just a week or so before her death she rallied her bridge-playing group and got a lively game going in the Comfort House - certainly a first for the hospice! (She won.) She is survived by step-son, Greg and his wife Lynn Van Vark and their son, JR and daughter, Teresa and her husband, Todd Cummings and their children Sydney and Clayton all of Pella; niece, Teri Allen of Glendale, CA; nephew, Jay Allen and his wife Trish of Clear Lake, IA and their children, Diana and Jessica; nephew, John Allen of Clear Lake and his daughter, Libbey (Troy) Wood. Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Van Vark on April 16, 2005, her parents, her brother, Alfred J. Allen and his wife Louise and her sister-in-law, Vee Van Vark. Margaret was feisty, strong and never shy about what she wanted out of life. She wanted to see the world, get a dynamite bridge hand, wear great-looking clothes, celebrate her 95th birthday, and most important, she wanted to marry the love of her life, Bob Van Vark. She did it all. Margaret, we hope you know how much you were loved and admired for your spunk and spirit. Your family will miss you. Your friends will miss you. Pella will miss you.