Tarvin, Margaret

Margaret Tarvin, 92, of Grinnell, died April 1, 2010, at Mayflower Community. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home, 201W. Main St., Montezuma. Burial will be at Pleasant Township Cemetery, Ewart. Visitation will begin after 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m.

Margaret Jane Tarvin was born Oct. 12, 1917, to Bessie L Lester and Benjamin Cecil Bates in Gibson, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Gibson High School in 1935. On March 2, 1938, she was married to Raymond C. Tarvin in Grinnell. They ran a dairy farm in the Montezuma area. She lived with her family on their farm in the Malcom area from 1942 until Dec. 18, 1994, when they moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell. Margaret worked at Estee Fabric in Grinnell, Malzuma Inn, Montezuma Nursing Home and as a housewife. She was very active with The Share Program, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, vice president of the Poweshiek County Committee on Aging, a 4-H leader for years, in Eastern Star Holly Chapter, Netaker Temple No. 11 Daughters of the Nile and a Daughter of the American Revolution. She was a member of the Malcom Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her children and their families, Leo and Linda Tarvin of Montezuma, La Rae and Norm Schutte of Newton, Marcia Tarvin of Montezuma, Sheryl and Dennis Johnson of Los Altos, Calif., and Michelle and Jerry Headding of Grapeview, Wash. She was survived by 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and her brothers and sisters, Agnes Hourihan of La Grange, Ill., Ronald and Evelyn Bates of Montezuma, Tom Bates and Dorothy Lane of Sigourney, Donald and Elaine Bates of Thornburg, John (who lived with Raymond and Margaret for nine years) and Joetta Bates of Deep River, Paul Bates of What Cheer, Merle and Jean Bates of White Settlement, Texas, Verla Tish of Gibson and Charlene Bates of Montezuma; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Tarvin; son, Edwin Tarvin; grandson-in-law, Wayne Foust; siblings, Eugene, Ned, Dorothy, Marlene and Gerald; and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Grinnell or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send condolences at   Holland-Coble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.