Margaret J. Bontrager
Margaret Jeanette (Rhodes) Bontrager, age 85, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs and most recently of Black Forest, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Pikes Peak Hospice residence. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who had taught in a one-room schoolhouse before raising her family. Then she worked for many years before retiring from Mountain Bell (AT&T).
Margaret was born September 6, 1927 in Johnson County, Iowa, to the late Frank and Lavanda (Preston) Rhodes. She was a 1945 graduate of Kalona High School and attended teachers college.
She was a former member of Pikes Peak United Methodist Church and was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed crocheting, word puzzles, and spending time with her family.
She is survived by two sons: Warren (Ellie) of Limon; Ron (Bev) of Lubbock, Texas; and three daughters: Judy (Lyle) Beeson of Stratton; Carol (Millard) Cull of Brighton; and Patty VanTassel of Black Forest. Margaret is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; twin sister, Marjorie Gingerich of Wellman, Iowa; sister, Wanda Miller of Kalona, Iowa; and brother, John Rhodes of Boise, Idaho. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and an uncle.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert Rhodes, an infant sister, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Private interment will be at Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of sending flowers to us, please send a flower to someone you love or make a memorial contribution in Margaret’s name to the Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation.