Marjorie Hinderliter

Hinderliter, Marjorie, 83, loving mother, wife and friend, went home to be with the Lord on January 9, 2013, in Colorado Springs, CO. Marge was born on January 2, 1930, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Claud and Mildred Hogg. When she was a few months old, the Hoggs moved to Preston, Ks, and a couple years later to Kingman, Kansas, where Marge lived until she married her first and only sweetheart, Ray Hinderliter, at the age of 17. Five years after their marriage, Ray joined the air force, so the couple made their first of many moves to Colorado Springs. Ray's service in the air force took Ray and Marge on tours of duty throughout the world. Their first tour of duty to Biloxi, Mississippi, in their early 20's was marked by a life-changing event: both Marge and Ray accepted Christ as their Savior, and soon began hosting Bible studies in their home, a practice which continued through much of their married life. Marge's huge love of adventure was perfectly suited to Ray's job. She loved moving to new and exotic locations, such as Hawaii; Biloxi, France, and Germany. Marge made friends easily, loved entertaining and hosting Bible studies and parties. While the couple lived in Hawaii, Marge exhibited her indomitable spirit when she took on the job of teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade for 2 years at a Christian school, in spite of the fact that she had only a high school education. Then while in France, Marge began Bible studies for military wives. Another landmark change took place in 1955 on their first tour to Germany, when the couple adopted their first son, Daniel, as an infant from a German orphanage. Marge loved being a mother, and the family circle was completed 8 years later when they returned to the orphanage and adopted their second son, 3 year old Jim, who didn't understand a word of English. Marge loved to recount some of the humorous events that happened trying to communicate with her German-speaking toddler! Marge often said that adopting their boys was the smartest thing they ever did, and Dan and Jim were the light of her life. Marge's sense of humor and zest for life and innovative spirit made her the perfect helpmate for entrepreneurial Ray, whose business endeavors over the years included a chicken business, stamp machine business, postcard sales, newspaper delivery business, solar panel sales, flipping homes, running an art gallery, and ultimately starting Power Chemicals. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1975 upon Ray's retirement from 21 years of military service. They attended Sharon Baptist Church, where Marge famously started the "Happy Hookers," a class teaching young women in their church how to crochet. In addition, she and Ray began mentoring many young couples and singles. They continued to be involved in teaching Sunday School when they began attending First Evangelical Free Church in 1993, where Ray served as an elder and Marge as a deaconess. In 1977 Ray started Power Chemicals, which thrives today under the leadership of their son, Jim. Marge applauded, encouraged, and helped Ray in their many ventures. Life was not all sunshine. Marge deeply grieved the loss of her eldest son to cancer in 1999, when he was only 43. In addition, Marge waged two separate wars with cancer herself, ultimately beating it in true Marge fashion! Then in 2009, she lost her dear Ray after 62 years of marriage. Marge found her strength in God through these dark days. She constantly reminded herself of God's promises and chose to remain joyful in Him rather than living in discouragement. Her upbeat attitude was an inspiration to all who knew her. Marge was a woman who lived her life to the fullest. She was young at heart even up to the end, as exemplified by her many young women friends, her love of contemporary Christian music, and her many "adopted" grandchildren. She moved to Colorado at the age of 81, and further amazed even her young friends in celebrating her 82nd birthday by getting a tiny tattoo on each shoulder! She was a fun-filled, giving, tender-hearted woman of God, who will be deeply missed. Funeral services 10:00 am, Saturday, First Evangelical Free Church. Burial 2:00 pm, Cleveland Cemetery in Cleveland, KS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Hinderliter, and son, Daniel Hinderliter. Survivors include her son, M. James Hinderliter; daughter-in-law, Gwen Hinderliter, all of Wichita; sister, Joan McConnell of Louisburg, KS; granddaughters, Jana Linehan, Casie Hinderliter and Randi Hinderliter; and granddaughter, Bailey. Memorials have been established with Project Titus, 122 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 and Christian Youth Theater of Wichita, P.O. Box 781258, Wichita, KS 67278. Services by Broadway Mortuary.