Margaret Louise Amstutz

Margaret Louise Amstutz was called to her heavenly home on December 1, 2016, thirteen days after celebrating her 96th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert, whom she’s missed since 2010; her parents, Joseph and Susanna Wiener; siblings Frieda Linder, William, and Sarah; as well as all of her in-laws, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Margaret was a first generation American whose German parents emigrated from Eastern Europe. She was raised in Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. Her father’s decision to follow Christ transformed the family and led Margaret to accept Jesus as her own savior when she was eight. She was a gifted pianist who played the accordion at many evangelistic meetings in Chicago. A skilled secretary, she worked as an insurance adjustor for her boss who was called away to military service during WWII “with no pay raise” she always added, and as a secretary for International Harvester in her favorite job in Chicago’s Loop. She met Bob at Moody Church where they married in 1947.

She retired to raise her two children and produced incredible handmade items, including lavishly decorated birthday cakes and intricate needlework. She taught herself to knit during her retirement and made beautiful sweaters, afghans, baby blankets and caps. She returned to her secretarial career at various law offices and research and engineering firms around Naperville, Illinois, to pay for her children’s college educations. After retirement to Clemson, South Carolina, her lightning fast typing, shorthand, and organizational skills earned her a job as secretary to Clemson University’s legal counsel. She retired again to travel with her husband and proudly spoke of having united two branches of her father’s family by being the first to visit her half-brother, Joseph, in Germany.

She dedicated her life to following God’s leading as best she could, and the family rejoices that she has now followed God to her new and best home where she can enjoy making music, face to face with Jesus and side by side with those she loved on Earth.

Surviving family includes son, Ken, and daughter-in-law, Margit Amstutz, of West Chicago, Illinois; daughter, Marilyn, and son-in-law, Rob Helms, of Raleigh, North Carolina, with whom she has lived since 2009; seven grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 10:30 am Tuesday, December 6, at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum with a memorial service at 11:00 am. Graveside service will follow. Guests are invited to join the family for a reception afterwards at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 11412 Strickland Road.

Gifts in Margaret’s memory can be made to Soddo Christian Hospital, Ethiopia, www.soddo.org or Transitions LifeCare. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com