Margaret Matilda (Buckwalter) (VansCoy) May

Margaret M. Buckwalter (VansCoy) May, 97, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, surrounded by her loved ones, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point, Iowa.  She was born on May 30, 1920, in Geneseo, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Edward and Emma (Kaiser) Buckwalter.  She was baptized on April 17, 1922, at the Congregational Church in Atkinson, Illinois, and confirmed on October 31, 1937, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Geneseo, Illinois.  Margaret was raised and educated in the Geneseo area.  The family moved to Springville, Iowa, in 1938.

On September 20, 1941, Margaret was united in marriage to Robert L. VansCoy in Chillicothe, Missouri.  Five children were born to this union. In 1942 the family moved to Bakersfield, California, because Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and they stayed there until 1945 when he was honorably discharged.  The family then moved to Seattle, Washington, to make their home and on November 11, 1949, Robert and Margaret renewed their marriage vows at Glendale Lutheran Church.  In November 1951, the family moved back to Tipton, Iowa, living there until 1974 when they settled in West Branch. Margaret worked as a nurse’s aide in various nursing homes and the University of Iowa for 4 ½ years.  Robert passed away on March 30, 1974.

On September 1, 1975, Margaret was united in marriage to Henry C. May in Newkirk, Oklahoma.  She worked at the Winfield State Hospital for 6 ½ years.  Henry passed away on September 17, 1981. In 1986 Margaret and her daughter Marie, moved to Harrington, Kansas.  There they befriended a neighbor, Jenny Smith, who became like another daughter.  In 1988 Margaret and Marie moved to Elkader, Iowa, to be closer to her son.  On October 16, 1993, they moved to Strawberry Point.

Margaret enjoyed gardening, flowers, knitting, and crocheting.  She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Margaret enjoyed watching basketball and football games, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Most of all, Margaret especially enjoyed spending time with her family. 

Survivors include her three children, Marvin (Penny) VansCoy of Elkader, Marie VansCoy of Elkader, and Rosemary (Guy) Pelletier of Virginia; a special daughter, Jenny (Ed) Smith of Harrington, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, Kevin Moore, Kymm Hove, Kelly Roberson, Becky Batzkiel, Dustin (Jenny) VansCoy, Darrin (Danelle) VansCoy, Devin VansCoy, Jennifer (Mark) Schick, Michael Pellitier, Jamie Pellitier, and Charles (Tammy) Simon; 13 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Robert Lee VansCoy and Henry C. May; two daughters, Rosetta Lee VansCoy and Marlene Moore; and one great-grandson, Shane Moore.

Memorials may be directed to Mission In Christ Lutheran Church or St. Croix Hospice in Strawberry Point.

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