Margaret Loewen, born Margaretha Unger on April 24, 1918, in Blumenhof, Manitoba, passed away from this life on May 8, 2007, at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, Manitoba, at the age of 89 years. She was the daughter of Johan F. Unger and Maria R. Reimer, married Cornelius Janzen Loewen on October 21, 1945, and lived on the Giroux area farm that she and Cornelius founded until the time of her death. The youngest in her family, Margaret grew up in a lively family of eleven in the pioneer village of Blumenhof. With a midwife mother and a veterinary father, she had a fine sense of health and grew up to be a strong woman who milked cows better than most. For many years, she corresponded with faraway relatives and travelled to Saskatchewan and to Depression-era lumber camps to visit them. She enjoyed school, especially when it was taught by her uncle John C. Reimer, and kept her Manitoba school readers that she would one day show her own children. All her life, she enjoyed mental challenges and was always ready to engage in humorous word play or sit down for a game of Scrabble. At the age of 27, she married Cornelius Loewen and moved to the Giroux area, following a snowy honeymoon in the Rockies. During these post-war years, dairying in Manitoba became a rural business and Margaret, along with other women of her generation, took on the changing role of farm wife with hope and trepidation. Four children followed, from 1948 to 1959, and she gave each one a special place in her heart. She taught them to read, sing, quilt, knit, play instruments, memorize verses and distinguish right and wrong. No doubt, the occasional spank did more good than harm. During these years of child-rearing and seconding her husband, Margaret found daily strength and inspiration in her Christian faith. After the death of Cornelius in 1978, Margaret became the cornerstone of her family in a new way. As her children became more independent, she enjoyed their company while continuing her favourite activities of gardening, baking, appreciating music and going to church on Sundays. One of her most remarkable gifts was her way of embracing each new family member into her life and the Christmas dinner table continued to grow. Most days of the year, several of her children, her grandchildren and their countless friends would sit down in her kitchen for food, fellowship and freedom from daily cares. Her acceptance and open-mindedness were keenly appreciated by all, making the farmhouse a haven in good as well as in trying times. Even after she fell ill, her love for people, astute observation and tireless will carried her along. Margaret Loewen leaves to mourn in sadness for her passing and gratitude for having been able to experience her immense personal qualities: her sister Helen Loewen, her children Curtis Loewen and Elsie (Hildebrand) Loewen, Leora Loewen, Brad Loewen and Sylvie Pelletier, Marvin Loewen and Maureen Paul, as well as her grandchildren Paul Loewen and Julie Hinatsu, Victoria Loewen and Greg Reimer, Mark Loewen, Kristina Loewen and Angela Loewen. The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 11, at 11 a.m. in the Ridgewood E.M.C. Church, with interment to follow in the church cemetery.