Marge was born in Ogema on January 25, 1939, a daughter of the late Henry, Sr. and Anna (Jasken) Teiken. She attended local schools and was a 1957 graduate of Waubun High School where she was named Homecoming Queen her Senior year. Marge married Darwin McArthur on August 1, 1959 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in White Earth, and together they raised four sons.
Marge worked for a short time at the Red Owl Store in Detroit Lakes. Marge and BoyBoy made their home in the City of Ogema, before purchasing and moving back to the Teiken family farm in 1969. Marge spent this time helping raise livestock on the farm, growing gardens, quilting, and being involved with the church and community. Marge was also known for her homemade bread, a recipe she learned from her mother. Marge worked on a seasonal work program, with other area woman, planting thousands of tree seedlings. The family enjoyed having Whist night get-togethers with friends and family and welcomed summer visitors from Washington and Colorado to stay at the farm. Marge was also a lifetime member of the Ogema VFW Auxiliary.
After her boys were raised, Marge began working at the Ogema Elementary School as a teachers' aide. After a few years, she moved to the Head-start program in White Earth, eventually becoming the lead teacher for her classroom where she often had a grandchild or two in her class. Marge excelled at her job, putting in the same determination she did when raising her four sons. Her family remembers the countless hours she spent at home preparing her lesson plans and wanting her class to learn and grow. She was so happy and proud each year when they would get to put on little graduation gowns and move onto Elementary school. Her classroom children would always refer to her as, "Grandma Marge".
After retiring from her Head-start position, Marge spent her time raising her flowers, gardening, quilting, canning, refinishing furniture and chasing Grandchildren. Marge had a passion for recording and documenting the family history and being a part of planning family reunions. After taking the helm and planning the very first one, she was lucky to have some dedicated partners in this endeavor through the years, including Wayne Reller. Together the group planned the reunions and put together the family history for all future generations to see. "The Book" she helped assemble is a prized possession of the family.
Marge is survived by her husband, Darwin, of nearly 65 years; her sons: Darwin “Darb” (Jean) McArthur, Jr., Joe (Diane) McArthur, John (Lisa) McArthur and David (Natalie) McArthur, all of Ogema, a former daughter-in-law, Theresa (Bud) Teiken of Waubun; her grandchildren: Tanya (Travis) Gary, Tracy (Jesse “Horn”) Lhotka, Justine (Jason) Wambach, Marie (Mike) Brevik, Kellen (Julia Heim) McArthur, Ryan McArthur, Caitlin McArthur, Rachael (Max Pinske) McArthur, Rylee McArthur, Cora McArthur, Lucas (Amy) McArthur, Chelsey (Keith) Warren, Jordan (Paulette) McArthur, Maggie (Dylan Thompson) McArthur, Jenna McArthur, Dylan McArthur; 34 great-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Maryann Teiken.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, and her sisters: Irene Reller, Doris Reller, Frances Brakefield, Marie St. Germain-Lohman, Lorayne Trujillo, and Elaine “Pon” Hoban; brothers: Joseph ”Bud” Teiken, Leonard Teiken, Hank Teiken, Maurice “Boots” Teiken, Leo Teiken, and Dave Teiken.
I was so blessed to have had Marge as a mother-in-law! I couldn’t have asked for a better one! She was also a friend that I miss every day. We use to talk for hours in person and on the phone. She was a shining example of what a mother-in-law should be, I hope to be half as good as she was. She taught me how to do so much, from sewing, refinishing furniture, how to cook, bake bread and so much more. She was my mentor in so many things, she was filled with so much wisdom. I valued her opinion so much! When she found out she had dementia, we held each other and cried! I told her that even if she forgot who I was, it would be ok and that I would never stop loving her! When my Mom died and I was crying and telling Marge about it one morning while she was lying in bed, she opened up the covers and asked me to lay down by her and she held me to comfort me in my grief. She had always been there for me even going through her dementia. A couple of months before she died, I went on a trip and when I got back I went to see her. She said to me where have you been, I missed you! Heaven has definitely gained an angel and i know that she is up there looking down at us with pride for all that she accomplished on this earth.
Lisa McArthurI forgot to mention that I would always tease John that I married him for his mother!
CM
Chelsey McArthur85w
Grandma Marge <3
The fall before you passed, I drove my babies over to your house on the four wheeler. You were outside walking in your garden. We pulled up to talk with you…and it was you there. You were back. You gave that knowing smile, made jokes, and played with my babies. It made losing you to dementia even harder than it already was. Catching a glimpse of the real you. The beautiful, kind, funny, playful, and loving person that I loved my whole life. I wish I could have kept you there. I will always cherish that day and I will never forget you.
Here is a list of some things that remind me of you: pigs, gardens, summer, lifetime movies, big fat babies, baby feet, split pea soup, family gatherings, spitting on “owies”, raspberries in sugar and cream, vanilla ice cream with graham crackers, a bowl of candy, and preschool (I specifically remember how everyone would call you Grandma Marge too and I wasn’t very happy about it).
