1939 ~ 2024
On June 9, 2024, Marga Toepfer Galla’s journey on this earth came to an end.
Born on May 8, 1939, in Fuerth Germany, her early years were spent surviving WWII, starvation, and rheumatic fever.
She met a handsome U.S. soldier, Walter Galla, and they married in Germany.
Walt returned to the U.S. alone on a troop transport. Literally on a wing and a prayer, Marga boarded her first international flight to New York with the hope Walt would be there to meet her. He was, and their life together began in the United States. They were married 60 years until Walter’s passing in 2021.
Marga worked at Essex Wire /United Technologies / Lear Corporation for over 30yearsandmademanyfriends Lifewas not easy, but Marga always tried to make the best of her situation by persevering. Through all the pain and suffering in her life, Marga always kept her sense of humor even to the end.
Marga had a wanderlust and loved to travel. She loved to knit and crochet. She gifted many blankets and socks over the years. She enjoyed reading mysteries and watching war movies. Most of all, Marga loved spending time with her family and friends.
Marga was preceded in death by her parents, Johannes and Katarina; her siblings Hedwig, Hans, Georg, Marie, Gretel, Inge, Helmut and Walter and many brothers- and sisters-in-law and her friend Rhina Gauthier.
Marga will be terribly missed by her children: Joyce (Mike) Pleva, Larry (Carole) Galla, Sandy Galla, and JoAnn (David) Gauthier. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brian ( Jennifer) Pleva, Amanda Gauthier, Gina Buchler, Dustin (Lisa) Gauthier, Matt Galla, and Lexi Galla. Marga is also survived by her great-grandsons: Wyatt, Harrison, Gage, Charles and Seth along with her dear friends, Ursula Leiter, Joann Moers and Audrey Carmichael. She is survived by her siblings, Robert and Helga,andextendedfamilymembers. Last but not least; Marga leaves behind her beloved dog, Abbie.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 17 at Holy Rosary Church in Cedar. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 at Holy Rosary before the funeral mass. A luncheon will follow, and the burial service will take place the following Saturday at Holy Rosary on June 22 at 11 am.
Our family would like to thank the staffs of Culver Meadows, Grand Traverse Pavilions and Hospice of Michigan for all of the love, care, and support provided for our mother, Marga. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynoldsjonkhoff.com.
