Margaret Ann Huygens

Margaret A. Huygens, 81, of West Des Moines, IA, formerly of Mason City, IA, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Pastor Chuck Kelsey of the First Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service. Per her wishes, her body was cremated. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, 2025 E River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, P.O. Box 1565, Mason City, IA 50401, or Mercy Hospice, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131. In addition, canned food is being accepted at the service, which will be donated to the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank.

Margaret Ann Jenkins was born January 24, 1934, in Perry, IA, the daughter of Arthur Reginald and Agnes Elizabeth (Muir) Jenkins. Margaret attended Lincoln Country School through 8th grade. She graduated from Perry High School in 1952, and continued her education at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, where she earned her BA degree in speech education and drama in 1956. Margaret was united in marriage to Donald W. Huygens on February 2, 1957, at the University of Iowa, Dan Forth Chapel, in Iowa City. The couple moved to Mason City in 1957. Over the years, Margaret worked at the Marion Public School (l year), the Globe Gazette as a proofreader (2 years) and the Mason City School System (31 years) until her retirement in 1994.

She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 50 year member of the Eastern Star, Occident Club, Monday Club, Lovely Ladies Libra Book Club and a former member of the International Toastmistress, where she competed at the international level (1962 – 1975). Margaret enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed genealogy, participating in the Mason City Theatre, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and volunteering for Mercy Hospital. She loved traveling with her husband, often revisiting their favorite places such as Great Britain.

Margaret is survived by 2 sons: James Edward Huygens and wife Jill of West Des Moines, IA, and Thomas Michael Huygens and wife Sheryl of Clarksville, IA; and 4 grandchildren: Meredith, Addison, Michael and Christopher Huygens. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald in 2014; 3 brothers: Albert Jenkins and wife MaryAnn, Bill Jenkins and wife Anne, and Edwin Jenkins and wife Barb; 1 sister: Henrietta Hewitt; and an uncle: Albert Muir.