"I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Such a sweet lady. Prayers and good thoughts sent to her family.... Becky Houston Mills"
In loving memory of
Margaret Cornelia Arndt Boerger
July 24, 1923 - September 11, 2015
Margaret Cornelia Arndt Boerger, 92, of Austin went to be with her Lord on September 11, 2015.
She was born on July 24, 1923 in Cisco, TX, the oldest of seven children born to the Reverend Arthur and Cornelia Arndt. The family moved to Harlingen in 1925, where five of her siblings were born, and to Wharton in 1933 where her last sibling was born. In Wharton, Margaret and her family lived across from St. John Lutheran church, where her father was serving as pastor. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school, Margaret attended Houston Business College. She served most of her professional life as a school secretary, many of those years as secretary to the superintendent of Wharton ISD.
Margaret met John Boerger at St. John, Wharton, and they were engaged in 1943, prior to Johns deployment overseas to serve in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns of WWII. They were married on September 23, 1945 after John returned home. Their marriage was blessed by three children, Charles, Mark and Marilyn. The Boergers lived outside of Wharton on the banks of Peach Creek in a home John built. They both enjoyed camping and outdoor life and instilled that love in their children. Following retirement, John and Margaret toured much of the United States in their 21 RV. John passed away suddenly in 1987. After his death, Margaret lived in Wharton another year before moving to Austin in 1989 to be closer to her children. She joined Bethany Lutheran church and was active in choir, numerous Bible studies, quilting, SCAT (Senior Citizens Are Terrific), and Lutheran Womens Missionary League (LWML).
Margaret took Romans 12:13b to heart Practice hospitality. She loved to cook and enjoyed having family and friends share in her meals. Her home was the gathering point for many holiday meals, family gatherings, Bible studies, and her weekly Wednesday dinners. Her large backyard, both in Wharton and in Austin, was the scene of plays, barbeques, birthday parties, casual dinners, and quiet conversations on the swing. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and made clothes, afghans and quilts for her grandchildren. Margaret left a legacy of abiding faith and unconditional love.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John; brother Charles Arndt, and sister Lois Halvorsen. In her generation, she is survived by brother, Arthur Arndt of Columbus, OH, sister Mary Beth (Bill) Chapman of Montrose, IA, brother James (Joyce) Arndt of Giddings, and brother Bill (Anabeth) Arndt of Dunwoody, GA. Her children still live in Texas Rev. Charles (Sharon) Boerger in San Antonio, Mark (Carol) Boerger in Austin, and Marilyn (Gregg) Goebel in Waco. She had 12 grandchildren Rev. Tim (Angela) Boerger, Matt (Allison) Boerger, Laura (Mark) Thompson, Jonathan (Kristen) Boerger, Elizabeth (Chris) Bernhardt, Mary (Rev. Dan) Suelzle, Rev. Paul (Jenni) Goebel, and Dr. Melanie Goebel. She had 11 great grandchildren - Sophie, Thaddaeus, and Hazel Boerger; Aria and Luca Thompson; Norah, Ephraim, and Miriam Suelzle; Barrett Bernhardt; Ann Elise and Margaret (her namesake) Goebel; and one on the way.
The world is less without Margaret.
The world is more because of Margaret.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Harrell Funeral Home of Austin, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:00 am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin. Burial will follow at 4:00 P.M. at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton, TX.
If you would like to make a memorial to Margaret, we would suggest Lutheran World Relief (LWR) for which she enjoyed making quilts, Lutheran Womens Missionary League (LWML) of which she was a member all her adult life, or a church of your choice.
If you plan to attend the service, please dont dress in mourning clothes. Dress for a celebration of her life!
Tributes
"Margaret was such a beautiful and loving child of God. We will miss her warm smile and humble kindness. We loved to purchase her unbelievably delicious baked delights each Fall at Bethany. She has left behind a marvelous legacy of faith evidenced by her faithful and sharing extended family. With tears in our eyes but joy in our hearts, we know that she is safe in the Lord's arms, home forever with her fellow saints. Our love to all the family. Jim and Retta McHan"
"What a wonderful Christian woman. Peace be with you and your family."
"I was so very blessed to know precious Ms. Margaret. She was one of the most loving friendliest woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was such a devoted christian and it showed each and every time you had the pleasure of being in her company. She helped me several times on Bible questions I had a hard time understanding as I knew how well she knew God's scriptures. I will miss her terribly but she will always have a special place in my heart. Our deepest sympathy and love in the loss of your great mom! Nancy & Al"
"It was an incredible blessing to our family when Margaret's grandson Paul and our daughter Jenni were married. While we didn't know Grandma Margaret personally, we knew her testimony well in the lives of Marilyn and Paul. We will always think of her in her namesake great-granddaughter Margaret. Our best to Margaret's family and many friends and loved ones. Jim & Elise Berryhill"
"Thanks, Janice. Great to hear from you!"
"Will miss Margaret a lot. Have great memories of sewing with her at Bethany. She was really fun to be around and has definitely made the world a better place."
"Sad to hear of Margaret's passing. I know God has been holding a special place for her as she was truly one on His earth angels as the beautiful obituary showed. I have fond memories of her sweet, loving nature no matter how loud and obnoxious we kids could get when visiting. It was also my plan to have a house just like hers when I grew up - unconditional love, food, fellowship, and lots of room to play. I was blessed to have her in my life. My prayers are with all of her family at this time of loss. God's comfort and love be yours, Janis Berry and family."
"Nancy, she was very hospitable!"
"Thanks, Randy and Bo."
"Thank you, Marge. She was a special lady."
"After Gregg and Marilyn were married and living in Houston where Gregg was attending medical school at Baylor, Dicks mother and aunt visited us from Detroit. They especially wanted to meet Marilyn and her family since they were unable to attend the wedding. The plan was that after we visited Gregg and Marilyn in their Houston apartment, we would travel to Galveston for a day and night and then accept Margaret and Johns kind invitation to stay with them at the farm on Saturday night and attend church the next morning. Our plans were disrupted when a very strong low pressure system with hard, driving rain blew into Galveston and we were totally unable to sight-see. In desperation, I called Margaret and asked her if we could visit them a day early. Margaret did not hesitate. She immediately invited us to come and stay for two nights. She was delighted we could come early and treated us to two delicious suppers and a Sunday dinner after church. Her hospitality was so gracious and she showed love in so many ways while we were at their home. Dicks mother and aunt talked about the kindness and love shown to them (by Margaret and John) for years afterwards. Nancy and Dick Goebel"
"To the Boerger Family, I am so sorry for your loss. When I would see Margaret in church, I always thought of family. You have so many cherished memories of her, and she will always be in our hearts. God bless you all during this difficult time. --Marge Reue"
"Sending prayers to you and your family Mark. Your mother was an angel amongst us. Randy Lloyd and Martin Bo Bunnell"