After a brief illness, Marguerite Schimelpfenig (93) died peacefully at FHN on Friday morning, June 3rd, surrounded by most of her family.
Marg was born on October 6th, 1917 in Freeport, IL to Asa and Eva (Gibbs) Senneff. She married Eugene Schimelpfenig in July 1939. She lived all of her life in Northern Illinois (Freeport, Rockford, and Mendota). Her last home was at Hawthorne Inn at Liberty Village in Freeport.
Marg's great joy in life was her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always focused on the care and comfort of others. She supported her entire family, including nieces and nephews, with babysitting and comfort- giving whenever asked without hesitation. She will be remembered as the strongly independent matriarch to her loving family and friends. While her focus and empathy was in caring for others, her family almost never remembers her being ill or asking for any attention for herself. She will be remembered for her smiling face, her positive attitude, and her beautiful white hair.
Marg's life spanned an era that pre-dated the concept of retirement, and in addition to being financially self-sustaining, she found joy and social contact through her work. She worked as a retail clerk in the grocery business, and later retired from the Del Monte Corporation where she worked in the cannery at Mendota, Il. She was active until the end of her life, and a week before she died was still volunteering as a teacher's aide at the local Jones Farrar Magnet School. She especially enjoyed riding the Senior Center bus with her friends, the bus drivers.
Grandma Marg was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, and her brothers Robert and Leroy. She is survived by a son, Craig (& best friend Lisa), Buffalo, Wyoming, and a daughter, Jean (Jim) Laible, Freeport. She is also survived by her nephew, Bill (Kittye) Senneff and family with whom she shared a special relationship. Also surviving is her nephew, Steven (Connie) Senneff, Englewood, Colorado and several cousins. Her grandchildren include Jennifer (Jeff) Schierer, Julie (Tim) Ferguson, Rylan Schimelpfenig, Ashley Schimelpfenig, and Brandon Schimelpfenig, and great-grandchildren, Megan, Emily, and Allison Schierer, Lauren and Logan Ferguson, Preston Schimelpfenig, and Malachi Schimelpfenig.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 am Tuesday, June 7 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2700 W Stephenson St., Freeport.
A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation beginning at 11 am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2700 W. Stephenson St., Freeport with Pastor Mark Luepke officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded.
A memorial fund has been established in her name. Please view the Family Guest Book and sign the condolence page at www.walkermortuary.com.