Margery ‘Margie’ Ruth Lundquist brought light and laughter to all who knew her. Born on July 9, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to Arnold and Edith (Hokanson) Bonander, she was the middle of three children: between older brother, John, and younger brother, David.

From an early age, Margie was known for her sunny personality, boundless energy, and silly sense of humor. She loved music — often singing and playing the piano — and eagerly took part in school and church activities. Summers were spent swimming in Lake Michigan and exploring the Indiana Dunes with her close-knit Hokanson cousins. In 8th grade, she received the American Legion Award for ‘Outstanding Girl Student,’ but was far prouder of being named ‘class clown’ — a title that always brought a smile to her face.

As a teenager, Margie attended Calumet High School and Salem Baptist Church. She embraced her roles as a cheerleader and as president of the “Chiquitas,” a Tri-Hi-Y club she co-founded - organizing fun-filled events like sock hops, hayrides, and slumber parties. She had a gift for bringing people together and maintained many friendships from these early years.

After initially planning to attend college to become an elementary teacher, Margie’s path shifted when her uncle suffered a stroke, inspiring her to dedicate herself to nursing instead.

She enrolled in Wheaton College’s South Suburban School of Nursing, where she met her lifelong friend, Betty Mattingly Peting, and had the unforgettable experience of helping deliver her first nephew, Jim Bonander.

Shortly after receiving her nursing degree, Margie met the love of her life, David Lundquist. Drawn to his ‘clean cut look,’ she first noticed him while she was volunteering in the nursery at Salem Baptist Church. Their first date — a White Sox game followed by pizza — was the start of a beautiful love story. They married on May 2, 1964 and celebrated their 60th anniversary just last year. Margie often said that Dave was her ‘big win in life.’

After welcoming daughters Kristin and Karin, the family settled in Frankfort, a small town south of Chicago. Margie embraced motherhood with open arms and created a home filled with love, laughter, and warmth. Her love for family was evident in her every action — from sewing matching mother-daughter dresses to creating a neighborhood preschool with fellow moms, she poured her heart into everything she did. A friend of the girls once remarked that their mother’s photo belonged under the definition of ‘Mom’ in the dictionary.

Margie’s third daughter, Kathi, was born in 1975 and, shortly thereafter, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Margie loved and cared for Kathi with unwavering devotion until her passing at the age of 20. Her reunion in heaven with Kathi is a comforting thought.

Margie took great pride in her Swedish roots, especially when it came to hosting the family's Christmas Eve Smörgåsbord. She loved the holidays — decorating every corner of the house, baking endless batches of cookies for friends and driving downtown to see the Christmas windows and have lunch in the Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s.

Family vacations were just as thoughtfully planned, with travel brochures arriving in the mail almost daily. Each spring brought visits to her beloved Aunt Ruth in Florida, while summers were filled with road trips and relaxing stays at the family cottage in Ogden Dunes. Margie’s knack for organization shone through in every aspect of her life — especially when she gathered recipes from relatives across the country to create and publish two treasured family cookbooks.

When Dave’s career took them to California in 1998, Margie embraced the move with her signature enthusiasm. They settled in Orange County, thrilled to be closer to their daughters. Margie’s days were filled with neighborhood get-togethers, church activities, decorating, sailing (‘garage' sailing, as she’d say with a giggle), and plenty of travel — from Big Bear and Hawaii to cruises through Alaska, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Summer road trips back to Chicago and Indiana for family reunions and cousin get-togethers were also a highlight each year. Most of all, though, she enjoyed family time together with her husband, daughters, son-in-law and grandson.

Margie continued her nursing career in California, working part-time in retirement homes and later as a hospice nurse — a role she found deeply meaningful. During her numerous hospital stays over the past few years, she bonded with the nurses and doctors at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. They considered Margie ‘one of their own’ and her family remains forever grateful for the care and kindness they showed her. Dr. Slater, Karin’s cute little dog, was also a tremendous comfort during this time.

Margie’s true superpower was kindness. She never missed a birthday, anniversary or opportunity to let someone know she was thinking about them. Gift giving was her love language and she spent endless hours online searching for that perfect card or gift. As one niece recently said, “She made the world a better place.”

Margie is survived by her loving husband, David; daughters: Kristin (Raul) de la Torre of Santa Monica, CA and Karin Lundquist of Laguna Beach, CA; grandson Nico de la Torre; sisters-in-law, Carol Lundquist, Roberta Lundquist and Martha Bonander; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.

In addition to her beloved daughter and parents, she was preceded in death by brothers John and David.

Celebrations of Margie’s life will be held on Saturday, April 5th, in Mission Viejo, CA, and Friday, May 9th, in Chicago, IL.

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