Marjorie Vargas
January 08, 1935 - November 05, 2013
Obituary
MADISON-Marjorie Fay (Fink) Vargas, age 78, escaped the progressive grip of Parkinson’s disease on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at the Agrace Hospice Inpatient Center. She was born Jan. 8, 1935, in Green Bay, to the late Henry and Irma (Tornow) Fink. After meeting the love of her life in LaPaz, Bolivia in 1968, Marge and Federico Vargas were wed on March 24, 1972. He remained devoted to her, caring for her at their home as her illness progressed, and later visiting her daily at the nursing homes.
Marge followed her love of literature and language arts toward a Bachelor of Science (1958) and Master of Science (1961) degrees in English Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Marge began her teaching career at Neenah High School before returning to graduate school at UW Madison. Following a brief position at UW Marathon Co. in Wausau, she found her niche in 1964, teaching high school English in the Malcolm Price Laboratory School at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she also guided a steady stream of student teachers for 34 years.
Marge also loved to write, completing many short stories and memoirs over the years and a novel. Finding a lack of teaching resources on non-verbal communication, she wrote her own book on the subject, Louder than Words, which was published in 1986. Upon retirement in 1998 as Assistant Professor of Teaching: Language Arts, she donated her vast literature collection to UNI for those following her chosen career. She then returned to Wisconsin in 2000, purchasing a home in Cottage Grove.
Besides her husband Federico, Marjorie is survived by two sisters, Marilyn (Kenneth) Rabideau of Green Bay and Helen (Terence) Ladwig of Mt. Horeb; her brother, Lawrence Fink, also of Green Bay; several brothers and sisters-in-law in South America; as well as nieces and nephews in both the US and South America. Her parents preceded her in death.
Her family would like to thank Agrace Hospice, Nazareth Health and Rehabilitation Center, St. Jude Hospice and Middleton Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care given Marge over the past several years.
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 with Pastor John Twiton presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove at a later date. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.
Memorials may be made in Marjorie’s name to the Wisconsin Chapter APDA (American Parkinson Disease Association) P.O. Box 7513 Madison, WI 53707-7513 or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Service
Sat Nov 9, 2013 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
Memories
HL
Helen Ladwig
Other •
Shared a photo.
LK
Larry Klodt
Other •
Mrs. Vargas was a wonderful teacher and person! I am very sad to hear of her passing. GOD BLESS!
LP
Lee Potter
Other •
I remember Mrs. Vargas from 10th grade language arts, and most of high school as yearbook adviser. She also advised my senior project in photography. She knew when to have a 'loose rein' on students. It was much appreciated.
CJ
Cheryl Ladwig Jakubczak
Other •
It's wonderful when you sit down to write some memories of a loved one, & God reminds you of another. When I was very little...my Aunt Margie gave my sisters & me terms of endearment. She called me "cutie", with a smile on her face. I remember all the holiday get togethers & time spent at "the cottage". Once again I remember my Aunt Margie's loving smile! And when my wedding came around, she (& her husband, Frederico) were there with big smiles...once again! I remember my Aunt Margie throwing heart shaped (bird safe) rice at my husband & me...all the while with that big, glowing smile on her face. I have many wonderful memories of my Aunt Margie...but the best thing...was her beautiful smile! It exuded the love she always had to give, the loyalty she had to family, & her willingness to give what she could of herself to others. I will always remember her happy, fondly, & with great love! Rest in Peace my dear Aunt Margie! Lovingly, Cheryl (Ladwig) Jakubczak.
DC
David Chung
Other •
Marge Vargas was a wonderful teacher and friend. I was in her 9th grade English class in the Fall of 1975. I hate to admit that I don't remember much about the class. But over the years, Mrs. Vargas served as yearbook advisor and I worked on the staff as a photographer. She also supervised at least 3 semesters of independent study in communications and photography, skills that continue to serve me well over three decades later.
She took me under her wing and encouraged me and others. As my friend Lee Potter notes below, she knew when to be involved and when to back off and let a student run with an idea. She was a great lady and we will all miss her.
David Chung, NUHS class of 1979
C
Christine
Other •
Thank you to all of the skilled nursing facilities and hospice for caring for Marge and providing assistance and guidance to her family over the years: Agrace Hospice, Nazareth Health and Rehabilitation Center, St. Jude Hospice and Middleton Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. God Bless You For The Work You Do. Thank you to her sisters Helen and Marilyn for visiting Marge and helping her husband Fred, as much as he would allow, through these past few years. Marge, you are free, enjoy the peace of heaven and God's everlasting love. --your niece Christine