Marguerite Dingman

Marguerite Rosemary Dingman, formerly Marguerite Rosemary Swart (nee Rinner), aged 92, passed away on March 15, 2014. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Otto and Irene Rinner. Marguerite worked as a switchboard operator at the Michigan Bell Telephone Company until after she was married and her first son was born. “Mugs” received her nickname at an early age when the little boy across the street, one of her playmates could not pronounce Marguerite and called her “Mugs”, it stuck. Mugs was an active and longtime member of the Guild at Butterworth Hospital serving in the cafeteria. She finally retired shortly after her eightieth birthday. Mugs was an accomplished baker, many times she was called upon to provide wedding cakes and other baked goods for family and friends. As an active member of the Casino Club Auxiliary, her specialty German Chocolate cake was sold at the desert table at the Friday fish fry. She also made different handmade Christmas ornaments to sell at the annual club bazaars and was a faithful club member attending all meetings and events. One of her favorite songs for weddings and Christmas was “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.” She sang for many years in the choir at Faith Lutheran, often called upon to perform as a soprano soloist. Marguerite was preceded in death by her first husband Frederick Swart, and her two sisters Ruth Olivier and Arlene Hausman. Surviving are her husband Ray Dingman; her children, Fred (Bonnie) Swart, Jim Swart, Bill (Pat) Swart; step-children; Nancy (Mike) Barcelow, Ron (Jini) Dingman, Doug (Jean) Dingman; grandchildren, Catherine (Adam) Jacobsen, Julie (Terrence) Molnar, Sandy (Mike) Morrow; great-grandchildren, Finn Morrow and Lucia Jacobsen; as well as many step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Please join the family for visitation from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Reyers North Valley Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Church (2740 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505) with Pastor Kevin Sullivan officiating. Interment to take place at Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, please consider a memorial contribution in memory of Mugs to Faith Lutheran Church.