Margaret Louise Wulff

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." Revelation 21:3-7 

Margaret Wulff passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the age of 88 at her home in Valley Park, Missouri. 

Margaret, or Maggi as she liked to be called, was born in St. Claire Shores, Michigan, on April 18, 1936, to Alphonse and Verna (Helmers) Wulff. The Lord washed her sins away and made Maggi His own child when she was baptized in her home by the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Maggi confessed her faith when she was confirmed in May of 1952 at Hope Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. 

Maggi grew up in her younger years in Gratiot Township, Michigan. At age 14 she attended school in Plainview, Texas, where her parents opened a gas station and grocery store. In 1948, after living a summer in Death Valley, California, the family moved back to Michigan where she attended junior high school in East Detroit. After a life-threatening battle with polio as a teenager she was confined to Sigma Gamma Hospital School for seventh grade. In 1952 Maggi attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary, a preparatory school for future Lutheran school teachers in Saginaw, Michigan. Always an independent and creative student, she thrived at this demanding boarding school. Her summers throughout all these years were always spent at her grandmother's charming cottage on Stag Island, Canada, playing with her many cousins.

Upon graduation from Michigan Lutheran Seminary, she attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, and Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, training to be a Lutheran school teacher. After graduating from Bethany Lutheran College, she accepted her first teaching position at Trinity Lutheran School in Crete, Illinois. This was followed by another teaching position at St. Mark's Lutheran School in Sauk Village, Illinois. In 1962 Maggi took a break from teaching to pursue her calling as a stay-at-home mother. 

Maggi and her husband, Richard Maginnis, were blessed with five children: Lynn (Lee) Schmitt, Stephen Maginnis, Jonathan Maginnis, Bethany (Todd) Ohlmann, and Christia (Thomas) Mattey. She was devoted to her children, bringing them up in the Word of God. Maggi loved Christmas and always made sure it was celebrated with love and reverence in the home. While her children attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Winter Haven, Florida, she volunteered there by teaching art and assisting with school plays. Maggi also volunteered at her church, as a Camp Fire Girl leader, and in many other activities involving her children. 

After being a stay-at-home mother, Maggi taught at Lincoln Elementary School and at Lake Shipp Elementary School in Florida. In her "spare" time she earned two master’s degrees from the University of South Florida. Maggi's love of travel and history took her to ancestral sites in Germany and throughout the United States. Two summers were spent at the C.S. Lewis Institute at Oxford and Cambridge. When she retired, she took many cruises, several of them worldwide, with her brother Fred. 

The Lord gave Maggi many interests throughout her life and blessed her with leadership skills. In Crete, Illinois, she served as a director of Camp Fire Girls and organized day camps. She had several friends in the paper doll world for whom she designed paper dolls. With one of her friends, she formed the Tropical Doll Study Club. Eventually they formed the Modern Doll Collectors Convention and the Fire-Flies Doll Convention. At doll conventions she had a table with the signage "Dr. Wulff: Doll Doctor" where she could help with doll repairs and doll restorations. Her interest in dolls and doll restoration was passed down to her children and grandchildren with some of her youngest great-grandchildren carrying on her interest in Ginny dolls. For those who have visited Maggi’s home, her interest and passion in this field was evident by the many elaborate and unique dolls and Christmas scenes that adorned the shelves in the rooms of her house. 

More important to Maggi than her interest in the doll world was her desire to help others. She was involved with the Stephen Ministries, an organization devoted to providing Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and community experiencing life difficulties. She also worked with a man named Otis Woodard at Peace Park in downtown St. Louis, bringing help and support to the homeless people in the area. Many trips were made to discount stores to purchase clothes for these people. She also purchased large quantities of food for them as well. Her garage became a warehouse for people to drop off items that could be taken to Peace Park for distribution. Motivated by Christ’s love for her, Maggi “served the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2) and strived to provide earthly and spiritual help for people in need.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Revelation 14:13

For the majority of Maggi’s life she walked with crutches, a side effect of contracting polio as a child, and in her later years she used a wheelchair. However, through the Lord’s mercy, Maggi’s disability did not define nor hinder her. Rather, her life was defined by Christ’s love. It was Christ that first loved Maggi when He gave His life for her. It was Christ’s love that taught her about her eternal home in heaven. And it was Christ’s love that enabled her, in spite of her physical limitations, to serve and help others throughout her life. From teaching precious souls in Christian schools to working with the poor and needy in downtown St. Louis, the Lord used Maggi’s life to bless the lives of those around her.

During Maggi’s last few months of life, she was confined to her bed. From all earthly perspectives, it would appear that death was winning. But by faith Maggi knew that death held no power over her. Christ had won the victory for her and that soon she would be with her Savior.

 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1-4 

Just as Jesus comforted Martha with the Gospel when her brother Lazarus had died, so He gave comfort to Maggi. 

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25 

Maggi did believe this and is not dead in sin but alive in Christ, surrounded by all the believers the Lord has gathered! She is no longer confined to her wheelchair but able to freely walk the golden streets of Heaven, awaiting the final day of resurrection for all those who place their hope in the Lord.

 "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

Already reunited with Maggi in Heaven are her parents, Alphonse and Verna Wulff, her brother William Wulff, and her son Jonathan Maginnis. 

Still looking forward to that blessed reunion are Maggi’s children Lynn, Stephen, Bethany, Christia, her many grandchildren: Jeremiah, Christina, Shannon, Eric, Sarah, Hope, Faith, Sierra, Joshua, Caleb, Noah, Hannah, Lydia, Tommy, and Michael, great grandchildren: Xavier, Everleigh, Courtney, Carson, Peyton, Thor, Toby, Rilee, Conner, Jenna, Seth, Nora, James, Thea, Oden, Everett, and one on the way, great-great grandchildren: Brookland and Parker, and her adored brother, Professor Frederick H. Wulff. 

Maggi was loved by many friends, family members, students, and neighbors. She will be missed but comfort for those who mourn is found in God’s Word.

 "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

"Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright, With palms they stand. Who is this band Before the throne of light? Lo, these are they of glorious fame Who from the great affliction came And in the flood of Jesus’ blood Are cleansed from guilt and blame. Now gathered in the holy place, Their voices they in worship raise, Their anthems swell where God doth dwell, Mid angels’ songs of praise. Despised and scored, they sojourned here; But now, how glorious they appear! Those martyrs stand a priestly band, God’s throne forever near. So oft, in troubled days gone by, In anguish they would weep and sigh. At home above the God of Love For aye their tears shall dry. They now enjoy their Sabbath rest, The paschal banquet of the blest; The Lamb, their Lord, at festal board Himself is Host and Guest. Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea, All hail! Now safe and blest for aye, And praise the Lord, who with His Word Sustained you on the way. Ye did the joys of earth disdain, Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain. Farewell, now bring your sheaves and sing Salvation’s glad refrain. Swing high your palms, lift up your song, Yea, make it myriad voices strong. Eternally shall praise to Thee, God, and the Lamb belong. Amen “Behold a Host, Arrayed in White” 

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A memorial service for Maggi will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, located at 12345 Manchester Road, Des Peres, MO 63131. A graveside committal follows the service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, 921 North Ballas Road, Des Peres, MO 63131. All are invited to attend the 5:00 p.m. worship service at St. Paul’s. A light meal will follow the 5:00 p.m. worship service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Maggi to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Social Ministry.