Obituaries

Margaret Elaine Bell, age 72, passed away on Friday, December 23rd, 2022, at the Hospice House of the EUP in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.

Margaret was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan on November 26, 1950, to the late Clarence and Dorothy (Ferguson) Strawderman. She graduated from Sault High School with the class of 1969. On October 7, 1970, she married Bryan Bell in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. Together, Bryan & Margaret adopted 6 children and fostered over 160 children. She was and will always be Mom to many.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the EUP Foster Parent Association. Margaret enjoyed going to yard sales and baking. She was known for her rolodex of family recipes and desserts. Notably her pumpkin cookies.

Margaret is survived by her husband: Bryan Bell; six children: Ronni Gardner of Jackson, MI, Tammy Bell of Brimley, MI, Larry (Angie) Bell, Steve Bell, and Angela Bell all of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Joshua Bell of Bellingham, WA; 16 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Jessie Hannan of Petoskey, MI and Anna (Clifford) Boggs of Escanaba, MI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Roy, Delbert, and Artie Strawderman; and a sister: Elsie VanVaulkenburg.

Her family, friends, the 168 kids fostered by her and her devoted and loving husband, and the countless others whose life she touched, can trust she has made it into His arms.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 30, 2022, at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Pearce officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home that day from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in the Spring of 2023.

The Bell family would like to express their gratitude to all who helped in her final days and through bad health. This includes Hospice House of the EUP, the many who adored her, and of special note, her Grandson, Joey Morrow.