Margaret Emma Toulouse

Margaret Emma Toulouse has finished her journey in this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus. She lived a remarkable life. She was born in a homestead cabin on a farm in Lewistown, Montana. Aunts raised the three sisters, Margaret, Laura and Helen after their mother passed way from complications of childbirth. Margaret’s early life took her to mining, ranch, and farm towns throughout Montana. She joyously told of traveling to town in a horse and sleigh in the winters. She recalled her beloved Uncle taking her on her first automobile ride. After two years of college she accepted her first teaching position at a one room schoolhouse in the Montana Mountains. She lived with a ranch family and rode a horse to and from school each day, even during Montana winters. She could still recall the names of those first students. She loved being a teacher and working with young children. She met her dearly loved husband, Levi Virgil Toulouse, “Virg”, at a small town dance after WWII. They were married and moved to Havre, Montana in 1947 to establish their home. Virg had an aircraft repair service and Marge taught in the Havre schools. She enjoyed a 36 year career in teaching, mostly at Havre, Montana. Her oldest son, Doug, was born in 1952 and his sister and brothers, Ina, Ralph and Allan, were adopted in 1960. Growing up her children were always amazed at “another one”, the adults that they would meet she taught. This extended almost to three generations at home in Havre. Her husband retired in 1972 and passed away in 1978. Mom retired from teaching in 1976. A third chapter in her life began when she moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1990. She moved here to help Doug raise her grandson, Levi. She provided him with all the love, support, wisdom, and nurturing a beloved mother and grandmother could provide. She loved meeting neighbors and she actively participated in Hillside Christian Church through Bible studies, Stephen Ministry and Sharing Hope as a pen pal. She has always been there to listen, encourage and pray for all those God placed in her path. She kept a prayer list and spent part of each day praying for the needs of all those on the list. Her children always knew of and felt the strength gained from her prayers. She stayed in touch with all her far-flung family and friends by mail, daily phone calls with her sister Helen and dear friend Merilyn Hall in Montana. She used e-mail for those that could keep up with her at 94. She took pride in the accomplishments of her eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and knew of the twelfth great grand-child that is to be born on her birthday November 27th. Though all who knew Marge will miss her, all have been enriched and made fuller by her love and encouragement. We feared less and knew of the great love that our Lord had for us. Even in her final days at home, shoe blessed each one with her smile and concern for our lives. The peace in her spirit comforts us as we go forward in love for each other. A memorial service will be held for her at Hillside Christian Church after her grandson, Levi, returns from Afghanistan. Though she loved flowers, a memorial for her will be at Sharing Hope Ministry.

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