Margie Ellen Jenkins

May 15, 1934 - February 14, 2021

Margie Ellen Jenkins, 86, of Kalkaska, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus on Sunday, February 14th, 2021, with her loving family at her side. Margie was born on May 15th, 1934 to Basil C. and Eleanor M. (Johnson) Smith in Flint Michigan. Margie was a loving and devoted wife. She loved being a farmer's wife and working alongside her husband. As a little girl, Margie dreamed of marrying a red-headed farmer. When she was 12, her parents moved the family from Flint to Kalkaska. Shortly thereafter, her dream came true; she met and became high school sweethearts with her red-headed farmer, Arden, who she later married on August 15th, 1954. Together, with a lot of hard work, they successfully built their dream of being farmers and raising their family in a Christian home. Their earthly love story lasted for 66 beautiful years. Margie also loved to work in her flower gardens and they were beautiful! She loved to share her flowers with all of her family and friends. Many even took a sample of her flowers home to grow in their own gardens. She loved animals and had several cats, dogs and horses over the years; something her children and many of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren inherited from her. She was a nurturer and an excellent cook. When friends, neighbors, and family stopped for a visit they didn't go away hungry. Holidays were a special treat for her family with all of the tasty foods she would make; there was always enough to take home to savor for days. Margie was also a loving and devoted mom and grandma. She taught the importance of having a beautiful soul; setting the example by being of service to others. She showed her children and grandchildren how to work hard, how to appreciate what you have, and how to be humble. She was up very early each morning to start her day and didn't stop until late at night. She rarely complained and was always able to smile through whatever came her way. Many young children that came into her home over the years were treated like one of her own. Friends would often come over for dinner after church and she was always sure to cook their favorite meals. Her grandchildren loved to stay with her. She loved them and would never turn down an opportunity to spend time with them. She always had special treats or she would wait and have them help her make the treats. She loved to go on field trips with them and to help with school classroom parties. Margie was a member of the Kalkaska Church of Christ and was truly a beautiful Christian. Her love, wit, charm, smiles, hugs and beautiful singing voice captured many hearts. She loved to sing old church hymns and to be in the Christmas choir. She will be missed by many, many people. Margie is survived by her loving husband and soulmate Ardie, daughter Cynthia (Terry) Arsnoe, son Shane Jenkins and daughter Julie (Scott) Park. Her Grandchildren, Ryan (Shelly) Arsnoe, Angela (Joe) Gaylord, Troy (Ann) Jenkins, Adam (Samantha) Jenkins, Nicholas (Lindsay) Arsnoe, fourteen great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Margie was preceded in death by her parents Basil and Eleanor M. Smith, her sister Nancy, brother-in-law Gene (Smith) Tinker, several Aunts and Uncles, and grandson Zachary Douglas Jenkins. Visitation is at the Kalkaska Church of Christ on Thursday, February 18th from 3:00pm-7:00pm. If you would like to make a donation in Margie's memory, checks can be made to the Kalkaska Church of Christ. A celebration of life will be held for Margie in the spring. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.