Margaret OlenaTarpley

MARGARET OLENA ELLEFSON TARPLEY

Margaret E. Tarpley went to be with her Lord and join her husband Dick in eternity on January 28, 2008 at her residence in Greenville, Texas following a lengthy illness.  She was born on November 28, 1919 in Garretson, South Dakota, one of nine children born of hardy Norwegian and German heritage.  She graduated from Garretson High School in 1937 and attended Grand Island Business College, Grand Island, Nebraska.  Upon graduation, she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Administration in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Missouri. 

As was expected of “the greatest generation”, she enlisted in the US Navy (Waves) in April, 1944 and served as a Storekeeper 2d Class at the Destroyer Base, San Diego, California until her discharge in March, 1946.  It was during this time of service that she met Richard E. “Dick” Tarpley, Jr. of Greenville, Texas, himself a Navy Storekeeper.  She was always very proud of her time in service to her country and instilled that same feeling of patriotism and service to each of her children.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Margaret and Dick were married in Kansas City, Missouri on July 22, 1946 and her life as a “Texan” began.   She joined her husband and supported his chosen career in the family’s insurance and real estate business and was a homemaker to her five children. 

She was very actively involved in her children’s lives and served on numerous PTA, scouting, church and other organizations which greatly helped to shape and influence the lives of her children.  She taught Sunday School for many years at First Baptist Church of Greenville, and was always a willing “sponsor” for activities involving young people.  One of her great gifts was the ability to teach young children how to swim, which she did freely in her backyard pool.  Many children through the years were taught to swim by “Granny”.   She loved baseball and followed the Texas Rangers faithfully, whether they won or lost.  One of her greatest joys was going to see the Rangers in their new ballpark.

She was preceded in death by her husband in August, 1990 along with her parents, Lewis and Alice Ellefson, one brother, Elmer Ellefson, two sisters, Irene Kuss and Shirley Burkey, and a daughter in law, Emily Tarpley.

She is survived by her five children, Diana Rie Tarpley Mason and husband Jim of Apex, NC, Richard Wayne Tarpley and wife Karen of Lewes, DE, Randall E. “Randy” Tarpley and wife Judy of Greenville,  TX, Mark L. Tarpley and wife Shelley of Edmond, OK and Jamie Marlene Tarpley Campbell and husband Richard  of Indianapolis, IN, Brothers, Lloyd Ellefson of Norman, OK, Perry Ellefson of Misson, TX, Rodney Ellefson of Estelline, SD, Theodore Ellefson of Greenville, SC and Leonard Ellefson of Garretson, SD.

Fourteen grandchildren surviving are Michelle Healey and husband Chris of Cary, NC, Kevin Mason and wife Wendy of Tallinn, Estonia, Brett Mason and wife Marlene of Raleigh,NC, Jennifer Hixson and husband Chris of Charlotte, NC, Scott Tarpley and wife Kimberly of Princeton, NJ, Neva E. Tarpley of Mesquite, TX, Meredith Tarpley Clendaniel and husband Meade of Cornelius, NC, Marcy Tarpley Rice and husband Douglas of Norfolk, VA, Amy Tarpley Wade and husband Jeff of Greenville, Texas, Mark J. Tarpley and wife Allison of Frisco, TX, Robert L. Maner and wife Becky of Greenville, TX, Christopher Tarpley of Edmond, OK, Jeff Campbell and wife Leanne of Frisco, TX and Josh Campbell of Indianapolis, IN.

Twenty one great grandchildren surviving are Chelsea Mason, Cameron Mason, Caroline Mason, Chad Mason, Jonathan Hixson, Daniel Hixson, Bennett Mason, Lily Grace Mason, Gavin Rice, Gillian Rice, Marin Clendaniel, Carter Tarpley, Justin Wade, Jacey Wade, Jenna Wade, Alyssa Tarpley, Preston Tarpley, Lindsey Kate Maner, Rhett Maner, Hannah Maner, and London Jensen.

Family visitation will be Thursday, January 31, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Coker Mathews Funeral Home and funeral services will be conducted in the Chapel of Coker Mathews Funeral Home, 5100 Interstate 30, Greenville, Texas 75402 on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:30 AM with interment to follow at Memoryland Memorial Park.  Pallbearers will be the grandsons, Kevin Mason, Brett Mason, Scott Tarpley, Christopher Tarpley, Mark J. Tarpley, Robert Maner, Jeff Campbell, and nephew Jeff Ellefson.

Memorials may be made to Lake Lavon Baptist Encampment, 8050 CR 735, Princeton, TX  75407.