Margaret Atsinger Ludwig

COLUMBIA A memorial service for Margaret Augusta Atsinger Ludwig, 93, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Irmo, SC, with burial at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Irmo Chapel, is assisting the family.

Mrs. Margaret Ludwig died Wednesday, June 23, 2021, following a long battle with peritoneal cancer. Born July 13, 1927, in Houston, Texas, she was the second daughter of six children of the late Ernest C. and Alvine Lange Atsinger. She graduated from John H. Reagan High School, Houston, Texas. She was married June 7, 1951 (64 years) to the late Dr. Paul W. Ludwig, Jr. after his ordination in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. After serving in two churches in Texas, “they” joined the USAF. Paulette joined the family in 1953 and Martin in 1961. She earned her “PhT” (pushing hubby through) at the same time Paul earned his Doctor of Ministry in 1980.

Margaret loved to travel being an Air Force wife. She and Paul were stationed in California, Canada, Savannah, Georgia, Greece, Texas, Philippines, Oklahoma, England and Warner Robbins, Georgia. They often referred to themselves as Abraham and Sarah leaving the Ur of Chaldees (USA) for Canaan (World). They also took additional tours to include 68 countries and all 50 states. She excelled in “learning the local language.”

Margaret loved her family – a myriad of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and all the in-laws and out-laws. She loved to cook and be hostess for dinner or a weeks visit. Her specialty was making it “feel like home for the holidays” for lonely GIs. She loved flowers and working outside with soil making beauty and color in the yard. She loved crafting – sewing, knitting, candle making, crocheting, painting, doll making, jigsaw puzzles and paint by diamonds. She volunteered in the Red Cross (24 years) assisting however and whenever needed. She loved singing in choirs, in church and groups, but often unaware to herself but to the delight of others. She loved being silly, dressing up and making others feel at ease. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and clung to Him in the everyday as well as times of difficulty. She loved teaching Sunday School and VBS.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Ernest C. Atsinger Jr. and Louis Atsinger; sisters, Alma Paulus and Dorothy Stoppenhagen. She is survived by daughter, Paulette Clements (Jim); son, Martin “Marty” Ludwig (Marilyn); granddaughters, Jerusha Keisler (Joey), Jessica Sharma (Yogesh); grandsons, Arthur Leonard (Becky), Kyle Ludwig (Abigail), Fischer Ludwig; great-grandsons, Matthew Keisler and Collin Leonard; great-granddaughters, Caitlyn Leonard and Caroline Leonard; brother, Victor Atsinger (Sylvia) and sister-in-law, Janet Atsinger.

The family wishes to thank Pastor Walt Harper of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, the Lighthouse Hospice Family and the calls, cards and especially the prayers of many of our beloved friends and family.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran World Relief, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Hour or Voice of the Martyrs (VOM).

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.