Margaret T. DeBruin

Margaret Tait DeBruin, age 90, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 30, 2010 at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton. Margaret was born April 30, 1919, in Fairmount, Arkansas, daughter of the late John and Emma (Dierks) Tait. On September 5, 1943, she married Herbert DeBruin. Margaret received her higher education at Arkansas A & M College in Monticello, Arkansas and Draughon Business College in Little Rock. She taught all eight grades at Independence School – a one-room grade school near Stuttgart, Arkansas during the early part of World War II. Later, she was employed as an assistant to the head accountant at Southern National Life Insurance Company with headquarters in Little Rock. After the war, Margaret and her husband moved to Appleton where Herb served with the Appleton Police Department and Margaret worked for Attorney Karl Baldwin for more than thirty years. After Mr. Baldwin's death, she acted as personal representative of his estate and trustee of the Baldwin family trusts and secretary-treasurer of Greywood, Incorporated, until her retirement in 2005.

Margaret was an active member of First English Lutheran Church, having served as its first female president. In fact, Margaret was the first female congregational president in the entire American Lutheran Church. She was also involved in several civic and charitable organizations, including Mid-Day BPW, Toastmistress Club, YMCA, March of Dimes, N.O.W., League of Women Voters, and Lutheran Social Services.

Margaret is survived by two daughters: Deborah DeBruin of Appleton and Diana (Richard Stone) DeBruin of Portland, Oregon; a brother: James (Pauline) Tait of Stuttgart, Arkansas; a sister-in-law; Helen Tait of Newark, Delaware, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herbert, a brother John Tait, sisters Josephine (Eldon) Patton and Jean (Jack) Hart; a nephew Martin Hart; and a brother-in-law Tony (Marilyn) DeBruin.

The funeral service for Margaret will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 2, 2010 at FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 326 E. North Street in Appleton with Rev. Mary Bauer and Rev. Will Bloedow officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. A memorial fund is being established at First English Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors at The Heritage who befriended Margaret over the years. She loved her home there, and appreciated all of you. Thanks also to the wonderful caregivers at Cherry Meadows. You have made her final days peaceful and graceful. Thank you for your kindness.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231