MARGARET VAN OOSTENBRUGGE

1915 ~ 2013

Mrs. Margaret Van Oostenbrugge (nee Van Splunter), beloved wife of the late Mr. Phillip Van Oostenbrugge, passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Friday, March 15, 2013, at the age of  97 years.  Margaret leaves to cherish her memory, six children, Gertie (Bob) Pearson of Leduc, AB, Jenny (Verne) Crawford of McMinnville, Oregon, Atie (Wallace) Turnbull of Stettler, AB,  Ernie (Lorrie) Van Oostenbrugge of Medicine Hat, AB,  John (Cheyanne) Van Oostenbrugge of Lethbridge, AB, Rita (Larry) Scott of Medicine Hat, AB,  and 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren all of whom she adored!  She is also survived by one sister-in-law in Holland as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, Phillip; her parents;  an infant son, Arend Van Oostenbrugge and brothers and sisters in Holland.  Margaret was born November 30, 1915, and was raised in Goedereede, Netherlands.  She immigrated to Canada in 1950 with Phillip and her three eldest daughters and settled in Burdett.  Many hardships followed including extreme home sickness for family back home.  She tried very hard to learn the English language and conform to the Canadian way of living, becoming a very proud Canadian citizen.  Mom always had coffee on and no one ever left her home on an empty stomach.  Her Christmas baking was simply the best and she was always willing to share her pails of cookies and loaves.  She had a passion for her life and home tending to her beautiful flowers that grew in her large garden.  She took pride in her home and even scrubbed the driveway with a brush and bleach.  She was the ultimate homemaker, who loved to bake, tend to her garden and yard, and knit until she no longer could.  Mom loved the freshness of the outdoors and hung her clothes on the line and never owned a dryer.  Remarkably, she lived in her own home until 96 years young and was a domestic engineer second to none!  Mom loved all her family – grandchildren and great-grandchildren singing and playing games of cards and dice with them.  She could occasionally be heard yelling “BINGO” as she enjoyed to play until her eyesight gave way.  Mom was a humorous, loving and caring lady who took the time for her family and friends.  She was a member of the Burdett United Church and Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church and sang with her beautiful voice in the United Church Choir and Veiner Centre Choir- and even sang lots of Dutch to her family.  She enjoyed to travel and went on trips to War memorials with Legion members, enjoyed an Alaskan Cruise and returned to her roots in Holland to visit the family she missed so much.  The Funeral Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Blaine Schaufele officating.  (Those wishing to pay their respects may do so one hour prior to the service)   Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.    (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com)  Memorial donations in Margaret’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102, 73 – 7 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1J2.    Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W.   Medicine Hat, Alberta   T1A 4V4  Phone 403-527-6455