Margaret Laverne (Hale) Huizingh

Margaret was born December 21, 1934 on a farm just outside of Ridgley, Tennessee.  She was the oldest of nine children born to William and Willie Mae Hale. At 17 she left her rural life and (by herself) moved to Illinois to live with her Aunt. After taking some courses at the local Business College, she got a job at Seeburgs in downtown Chicago. She loved her exciting new life as a gal about town, working, shopping and weekends dancing at the night clubs. Her single days were short lived though when she met a handsome young accountant. In an attempt to get that man on the dance floor he responded “I'm a lover, not a dancer.” Those words stuck in her heart and a soon she married that man, John Huizingh, on March 26, 1960.

In January of 1964, Marge gave birth to her first daughter Sharon. Looking for a more suburban lifestyle, the young family headed west to Tempe, Arizona.  For the next 15 years, Marge built a loving home for her family, which grew to four in 1967 when she had her second daughter Rhonda.  Although common for the times, Marge was never the typical homemaker. When most moms were staying at home, Marge was always busy either volunteering, working in the church nursery and preschool, bowling on leagues every week and when the girls were a bit older working in the school cafeteria.

In 1980, a business opportunity brought the family to Denver, Colorado.  It was a hard transition for Marge to leave her friends and the life she had built for herself, but in true form, she was soon as busy as she'd always been. She traded in bowling for bingo and instead of being a “lunch lady” she became a “sample lady” at all the local grocery stores. For 23 years, Marge lived in the same southwest Denver home. The girls grew up, got married and began producing grandchildren for her to spoil. On February 14 of 2003, she lost the love of her life when John passed away.  In true form, she pushed through her grief and continued to live her life to the fullest.  She moved the next year to Brighton, Colorado to be closer to her grandchildren and continued to be as active as possible.  She spent time at the Senior Center, loved to go out to lunch and take her gambling trips to Laughlin, Nevada.

It is amazing to think that this girl born “dirt poor” on a small farm in rural Tennessee would have lived a life of travel, adventure and love. She visited Canada, Mexico and Hawaii. She had a variety of jobs and experiences and she lived to have six grandchildren and meet her first two great grandsons. The one thing everyone can say about her is that Marge always truly lived her life. Even when it was difficult, she wanted every day to count.

Marge is survived by her daughters: Sharon Kepley (Jeff Kepley) and Rhonda Helsel (Olian Helsel); grandchildren: Kelsey Fogleman (D. Fogleman), Austin Cunningham, Katie Helsel, Emily Helsel, Megan Helsel, Lizzy Helsel; and great grandchildren: Carson and Harrison Fogleman.

Marge has reunited with John and will be interred with him at Fort Logan National Cemetery in a private ceremony.  A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future to honor Marge.  Please continue to check the website for updates related to her ceremonies.

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