Margaret A. Nida

Margaret A. Nida, 93, a long time resident of San Antonio, went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2013, after heart problems and a brief hospital stay. She was preceded by her husband of 46 years, Orr L. Nida, in 1992. She is survived by her son, Robert L. Nida his wife, Judith and their two sons, Robert and John-Michael; son, John H. Nida his wife, Brenda and two daughters, Lindsey and Lauren; and sisters, Ima Jean Cannon and Lily Carrico.

Margaret was born in Wilson County in 1919 and lived on a farm outside Stockdale, Texas. She was the third of 9 children born to John and Grace Hemby. After she finished her primary education at Stockdale High School she moved to San Antonio. That became her new home until she married Orr L. Nida in 1946. Then like her husband, the Army became her home for the next 15 years traveling the length and width of the US and Alaska until they returned to San Antonio in 1961. Along the way their sons Robert and John were born one at Fort Ord, California and the other Missoula, Montana, respectively. Like many Army wives today she became a single parent with 2 young boys when the Army called Orr to war in Korea. Her brothers and sisters in San Antonio made that time palatable.

Although she often lamented of not having any higher education she like most of the women of her time had the equivalent of a Doctorate in Homemaking through the myriad of talents and skills she perfected in making a house a wonderful place to grow up and to call home.

In her later years she would find much pleasure in the game of bridge. She amassed many a hand of bridge with her dear friends in her bridge groups, Declarers and Defenders and the Marathon Club. They might find it easier now to win without her and the good cards she consistently had but I know they will miss her camaraderie, at least for now.

Margaret's faith was the source of her strength throughout her life. She came into a relationship with Jesus through her mother and spent her early years in the Baptist Church until she and Orr met Chaplin Hannusch in Alaska. There they became members of the Lutheran Church where they remained. While at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Pastored by Pastor De Vries, she found pleasure in volunteer groups until she was less able to get around. She had known Pastor De Vries since he was a teenager at Peace Lutheran Church and shared his love for the Lord.

Margaret learned many life lessons and developed deep friendships in her large farming family. Her travels with Orr in the Army broadened her horizons beyond what she would have imagined. Throughout life, though, she found the most pleasure and comfort in the friends she made and family she loved. She will be truly missed from among our midst.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

10:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in memory of Margaret A. Nida to the Wounded Warrior Project at 855-448-3997 or by mail at Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.