BOMBER MEMORIAL

MARGUERITE LOUISE "MARGE" GROFF TOMPKINS ~ Class of 1954
June 7, 1936 - January 25, 2014

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Marguerite went to be with our Lord on January 25th, 2014. She left this life peacefully, surrounded by her family, trusting in God's promise of eternal life, and looking forward to being reunited with her loved ones who had gone before.

Marguerite was born to Harold and Elizabeth Groff in Mason City, WA on June 7th, 1936. The family moved several times during her early years following the construction projects where Harold worked to support their growing family. The family eventually settled in Richland where in time Marguerite became the eldest of four children.

Following Graduation from Columbia High School in 1954, she attended Pacific Lutheran University for a year. While home that next summer she met the love of her life. Bill Tompkins, a handsome young GI serving at Camp Hanford. The two were married December 10th, 1955.

Following Bill's honorable discharge from the Army, Marguerite and he moved to his home state of Michigan. Bill went to work farming, and Marguerite went to work learning to be a farmer's wife. She often told stories of Bill coming home with a bushel of apples or a couple of recently shot pheasants, expecting them to be dressed, cooked, or preserved; and being the city girl that she was, Marguerite would sit and cry. However, with the help of her in-laws, Marguerite eventually became accomplished at it all and passed that skill and knowledge on to her children.

While Marguerite was growing in her abilities, she was also growing a family, giving birth to five daughters and one son.

In the summer of 1967 the family moved back to Richland where Marguerite, now known as Marge, and Bill raised their six children and lived the rest of their 47 years together.

In 1968 Marge went to work for Battelle Northwest where she remained employed for the next thirty years, retiring in 1998. Along with her daily responsibilities at Battelle, Marge, at various times, acted as editor of Battelle's safety newsletter "The Pinkie", chaired several special events, was active in the Battelle Staff Association, and became a long-standing member of the Professional Secretaries Association, traveling to events around the country and as far away as Hong Kong. Upon her retirement Marge received extensive praise from two generations of management for the consistent, diligent, and professional work ethic she displayed throughout her tenure.

Although Marge enjoyed the rewards of her employment, her greatest joy was spending time supporting her grandchildren in all of their scholastic and extra-curricular activities. Most Saturdays would find Marge and Bill in the stands or on the sidelines cheering on their "All Stars." Warm summer baseball games, frigid fall football, wet and chilly spring soccer, Marge was there to congratulate, encourage, or console as needed. But it was not only sports. If any grandkids had a play, an award, a concert, or a graduation, Grandma and Grandpa were always there. So much of Marge's life was dedicated to her children and grandchildren; but that never stopped her from enjoying activities with Bill, her one and only love. For forty-seven years, until his passing in May of 2002, Marge and Bill worked, laughed, fought, sang, danced, struggled, and loved together. Marge greatly enjoyed their time at bowling league and Friday nights at the VFW. And most every New Year's Eve she would put on her best and head out on the town with the man she loved.

Marge was a life-long Christian. As a child and young adult Marge, along with her family was a member of Richland Lutheran Church. When she moved back to Richland with Bill in 1967, she once again placed membership and saw that her children were active in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and special trips and activities.

In 1997, it was Marge, following her childrens' lead when she and Bill were baptized and placed membership at Bethel Church in Richland, where most of her children and grandchildren were actively involved.

At Bethel, Marge's activities included Joy in the Morning, the Crane Care Group, the Aldrich Care Group, and the Engelhardt Care Group. Marge was an active supporter, attendee, and sometimes volunteer at Bethel until the time of her death.

As a proud Richland Bomber alumni, Marge was an active member of Club 40; until the time of her death, she enjoyed monthly luncheons with a group from her graduating class.

Marge's greatest accomplishment was the legacy of love that she gave to her family. A family not only of birth, but one that was formed by her open door; a door that was never closed; a door that led to a spare bed and a place at the table. By word and example she taught us all to be strong, to sacrifice, and to forgive. She showed us all the Biblical Truth found in 1 Corinthians 13; that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Betty Groff, her brother William "Bill" Groff ('61), her husband Wilfred "Bill" Tompkins, her grandchild Steven Tompkins, Jr., and her great-grandchild Eddie Lopez, Jr.

She is survived by her siblings Phil Groff ('58) (Dorothy) and Marilynn Groff Taylor ('63) (Dale); her six children: Pam Tompkins Jones ('74), Steven Tompkins ('77) (Gloria), Cathy Tompkins Hall ('78), Teresa Tompkins Ostlund ('81) (Craig), Sandy Tompkins Davis ('82) (Jim), and Linda Tompkins Patterson ('84) (Joe); along with 29 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Liberty or Kingspoint Christian Schools.

Memorial:
WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 2014, 5pm
WHERE: Bethel Church
ADDRESS: 600 Shockley Rd (corner of Keene and Shockley), Richland

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