Margaret J. Byington

ROCK FALLS: Margaret J. Byington, 79, of rural Rock Falls, went to heaven on Friday (November 18, 2011) at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday (November 23, 2011) at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastors Wendy Johannesen and Jerry Abise-Rouse officiating. Interment will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday (November 22, 2011) from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Old Stone United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Margaret J. Byington memorial fund in care of the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. Margaret J. White was born on Valentine’s Day, 1932 in Algona, IA, the daughter of Everett and Ferne (Bowen) White. Her growing up years were spent on a farm near Rock Falls with her parents, brothers and sisters. Growing up during the depression, times were tough. She developed a keen sense of value, a hard work ethic, imagination and a sense of adventure. Margaret graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1950. Following high school she enjoyed working at Davidson’s in Mason City. Margaret was united in Christian marriage to Merlyn “Mike” Byington on April 4, 1954. They lived and farmed together in the rural Rock Falls area. They celebrated 53 wonderful years of marriage. In addition to working on the farm, Margaret had many interests. She enjoyed crafts of many kinds, sewing, traveling, reading, creative writing, baking, gardening, walking and shopping. Margaret combined her love of family and her gift of finding a bargain by leading the “Girls’ Annual Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Extravaganza”. Margaret was a button collector and thoroughly enjoyed her friends in the Mason City Button Club and the National Button Society. She was also a member of the River City Gems Red Hat Society. Margaret was a lifetime member of the Old Stone United Methodist Church where she joyfully served the Lord in a variety of roles. She used her God given gift of creativity to adorn the sanctuary with beautiful banners. She also started a summer library program which was enjoyed by many area children. She was a member of the 20-30 Club and the United Methodist Women. Margaret cherished her family. She enjoyed many special family gatherings and vacations. Margaret had a gift for making every day a celebration. Her contagious joy and faith has inspired her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to rejoice in each day that the Lord has made. She is survived by her 4 daughters: Karen Birkedal and her husband Paul of Hickory, North Carolina, Peggy Schuver and her husband Brad of Marion, Iowa, Ellen Hinecker and her husband Randy of Plymouth, Iowa and Holly Gallagher and her husband Lynn of Quincy, Illinois. Eleven grandchildren: Sarah Nye and her husband Joel, Rachel and Nathan Birkedal, Katie Schuver, Nick Schuver and his wife Shannon, Kevin Schuver and his fiancé Katelynn Edwards, Christine Douglas, Melissa Schleppenbach and her husband Ryon, Jenny, Jeff and Jonathan Gallagher; great-grandchildren; Chylee Douglas, Karis Nye, Madison Schleppenbach, Evie Schuver. Sisters Lucille Jackson and her husband Dale of Santa Barbara, CA, Janice Abrahamson and her husband Don of Mason City, brothers Don White and his wife Novella of Rock Falls, Jim White and his wife Sharon of Keaau, HI and brother-in-law Ray Arickx of St. Ansgar, nieces, nephews and cousins. Margaret has gone home to be with Jesus, joining all those who have gone before her, including her husband Mike, parents, sisters Judith White and Carol Arickx and a special niece Beth White Ollanik.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the Margaret J. Byington memorial fund in care of the family.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery.

Visitation:
Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Old Stone United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Service:
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday (November 23, 2011) at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastors Wendy Johannesen and Jerry Abise-Rouse officiating.

Memorials may be directed to the Margaret J. Byington memorial fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Old Stone United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Service:
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday (November 23, 2011) at the Old Stone United Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastors Wendy Johannesen and Jerry Abise-Rouse officiating.