Marjorie Elvig
Marjorie “Margie” Jean (Binns) Elvig, age 84, of Minneapolis, MN, formerly of Grand Rapids, MN, went to be with Jesus June 7, 2018 after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. A celebration of Margie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at GracePoint Church, 2351 Rice Creek Road, New Brighton, MN, with visitation one hour prior to service. Inurnment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
Margie was born in Newark, NJ October 1, 1933 to John William Binns and Martha Helen (Boothby) Binns. Her sister, Marilyn, joined them and they grew up with music lessons, much reading and faithful church attendance. The Lord Jesus called Margie at an early age, and He became her Lord and Savior at Evangel Baptist Church in New Jersey.
She attended Wheaton College in Illinois where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and also served in a program that reached out to the children in the “projects” of Chicago. While attending Wheaton, she met her sweetheart, Earl James Elvig. They were united in marriage August 17, 1956 and enjoyed 52 years together. Margie became a school teacher while her husband was attending seminary in Philadelphia, PA.
She raised five children while faithfully serving alongside her husband at each church he pastored throughout the Midwest. In Iowa, they served the Bethlehem and Frankville Presbyterian Churches as well as churches in Stanwood, Hazleton and Littleton. She was an indispensable partner in ministry playing the piano and organ, leading choirs, teaching women’s Bible studies and Sunday school, and lending compassionate care to anyone in need.
She taught piano lessons, worked as a substitute teacher, provided foster care to five children, volunteered with hospice and sang with the community chorus. Margie was a talented pianist and accompanist and used her musical gift to serve and glorify God. She and her sister delighted in creating music together and presented many worshipful concerts.
Margie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She loved people, especially children, and enjoyed sharing music with them. She had a very welcoming presence, would have a great meal and treats prepared for visits and would wave good-bye until we had left her sight. She was an accomplished gardener, an avid reader, and life-long learner. The Bible and the inerrancy of Scripture were very important to her, and she worked diligently teaching her children and many others God’s Word.
She desired that people know the love of her Father in Heaven and that we are saved by faith alone. One of the verses she shared with her daughters in a gift of a Bible was “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” III John 1:4 She was a woman of prayer with volumes of diaries filled with prayers that certainly helped many. She will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, her passion for God and people, and her love of music.
Margie was preceded in death by two infant sons, Stephen and Paul; her parents; two infant grandsons; her husband, Rev. E. James Elvig; and her sister, Marilyn Wiedenman. She is survived by five daughters, Nancy (Tom) Ringgenberg, Betsy (Andy) Von Duyke, Susan (Bill) Neumeister, Laurie Elvig (Joe Riley) and Patricia (Michael) Reed; 17 grandchildren, Eric (Nicole) Ringgenberg, Lauren (Andrew) Clements, Katie (Tim) Hedberg, Mark Ringgenberg, Anna Von Duyke, Ellie Von Duyke, Brannen Neumeister, Luke Neumeister, Aaron Neumeister, Duncan Riley, Owen Riley, Henry Riley, Natalie Reed, Julia Reed, Jon Harris Reed, Max Reed and Samuel Reed; and two great-grandchildren, Colton Ringgenberg and Eli Ringgenberg; as well as other relatives and friends.
