Margaret V. Tharp
July 12, 1918 ~ April 25, 2006
Tharp, Margaret V., 87, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006. Visitation 6:00 ~ 8:00 P.M., Thursday, April 27, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Service 2:00 P.M., Friday, April 28, East Heights United Methodist Church. Margaret was born July 12, 1918 in Fredonia, KS, the eldest of three children of Harlow Gilbert Van Duser and Blanche Loomis Van Duser. Margaret graduated from Fredonia High School in Fredonia, KS, and received a B.S. in education from Pittsburg State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS. She taught foreign languages in Ellinwood, KS, Deloge, MO and Hoisington, KS. She taught herself to swim while her children were taking swim lessons in Ellis, KS and then taught swimming at the College Hill pool and for many years at the Y.M.C.A. in Wichita. She married James Russell Tharp, May 25, 1941, in Fredonia, KS. He preceded her in death July 15, 2003. Her oldest son, Jeffrey Randolph Tharp preceded her in death, March 15, 1975. She is survived by her sister, Doris Overman of Pittsburg, KS, her brother, Max Van Duser of Garland, TX, her daughters, Patricia Maxwell of Wichita and Janet Skakal of Olathe, KS, her sons, Gregory J. Tharp of The Woodlands, TX and Thomas N. Tharp of Lawrence, KS, eight grandchildren, Cynthia and Dean Maxwell, Ashley, Jake and Pete Skakal and Tyler, John and Rachel Tharp and one great-granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Maxwell. Margaret was an active member for 53 years of East Heights United Methodist Church. She was also very active in P.E.O. Chapter EM, DFPA, Prairie Quilt Guild, Postcard Club, Victorian Society and Sigma Kappa Sorority. Memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202 and Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO, 64772.
Visitation 6:00 ~ 8:00 P.M., Thursday, April 27, Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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I became acquainted with Margaret at Prairie Quilt Guild where she was a vital, active member. I always looked forward to seeing her. She ALWAYS had smile and a kind, sweet word. I will remember her for her simple grace and dignity. Margaret’s quilting was always an inspiration to me– especially her vintage quilts. I especially remember being inspired by her ‘Pine Burr’ quilt in olive green and lots and lots of old fabrics. I was determined to reproduce it for myself. Mine’s not finished yet, but I’m determined to finish it in Margaret’s memory. I think Margaret was a reminder to all of us that we’re never too old to learn new things or dwell on how things ‘used to be’. She always struck me as so positive when so many people her age remember only how good it used to be. I would have loved to see her teaching swimming lessons! 🙂 I loved hearing about her garden. At my church, Pleasant Valley UMC, we have a wallhanging that Margaret made for Creation Care churches. I am particularly proud to be able to say that its creator was my friend. I will miss so very much her smile, sweet laugh and special presence at PQG meetings. It won’t ever be the same without her. We should all hope to be so remembered and missed. I pray that God will give you comfort in sweet memories of a very special lady. Sincerely, Jozelle Wallace PQG Member
Margaret Tharp was my roommate at Pittsburg State college in ’37-’38 and we’ve kept in touch for nearly 70 years sharing news of our families and our lives. We were both very happily married and had several children to share their lives, too. She was a wonderful person and a loving friend.