RIEDIGER, Margaret Riediger

In the early morning hour on Saturday, May 16th Margaret Riediger (Mom) left her earthly home and was embraced in the arms of her Lord and Saviour for her glorious future in heaven.

Mom was born on August 1, 1926 in Whitewater, Manitoba. She was the youngest of her parents Jacob and Maria Epp’s 10 children. She was the only one of her siblings born in Canada. Her parents had immigrated to Canada from Russia in 1924. Mom attended the Whitewater Mennonite Church where her parents (especially her father) were very active members. She attended Sunday School and Young Peoples. She was baptized on her confession of faith on June 9, 1946.

On October 23, 1948 she married George Riediger (Dad) whose family also resided in Whitewater. In 1954, they moved to Jordan Station, Ontario and after several moves within the Niagara area, they purchased a house in Vineland, Ontario where they lived until 1979.

As was most common at that time our father was the primary wage earner, however, over the years Mom supplemented the family income with seasonal and part-time work picking fruit, arranging flowers and working in a convenience store. Throughout that time, she always put the family first, ensuring that we were all cared for and loved. And while we were not wealthy, we never lacked for anything that truly mattered.

In July of 1979, Mom and Dad moved to the Muskoka community of Mactier, Ontario where they purchased and operated a restaurant and vehicle service business until 1985, after which they moved to the rural community of North Pelham.

In 1995, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, however through God’s grace and effective treatment she remained cancer free throughout her remaining years.

Our Father passed away suddenly in 2005 and shortly after Mom moved into the Vineland U.M. Apartments. In February 2024 she was transferred to the United Mennonite Home Long Term Care facility where she lived out her final days.

While our father was more extroverted by nature, our mother displayed a quieter more passive personality. Her transition in becoming a widow and moving into a social setting like the Vineland Apartments was difficult at times, however she was blessed with the friendship and encouragement of a number of residents in the building and within a short period of time was actively involved in numerous volunteer opportunities and social activities.

Our mother was a caring and loving person who loved Jesus, as her Lord and Saviour. She loved her family and gave generously of her time and talents. She was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays fan, and she never missed watching a game on T.V..

Mom was predeceased by her husband George; her son, Larry, her son-in-law Art Ysseldyk; her sisters Elizabeth, Annie, Mary, Lena, Elsie and Irma; her brothers Bernhard, Jack and Henry.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed by family and friends. She is survived by her children Marilyn, Robert (Marlene), Albert (Arlene) and daughter-in-law Hildie; her 10 grandchildren Kristina (Jeff), Brad (Renata), Lisa (Scott), Lori (Daniel), Vicky (Kevin), James (Sheila), Kassandra (Greg), Rebecca (Reece), Kate (Josh), Brandon (Olivia), and 21 great-grandchildren.

The Funeral and Visitation will take place on Friday, May 22nd at the Vineland United Mennonite Church, 3327 Menno Street, Vineland. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by the funeral service. Refreshments will be provided following the service. Private family interment in Vineland Cemetery after the luncheon.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Vineland United Mennonite Home for the Aged for their gentle and loving care of our mother.