Meg Kuta

Meg was a joyful, faith-filled woman who loved her family, books, animals, and above all, her Lord and Savior. As a long-time friend said, “Meg truly lived out the words of Micah 6:8. ‘She acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God.’”

Meg grew up in Peachtree City, Georgia, where she graduated from McIntosh High School in 1988. She left Georgia to attend Miami University of Ohio where she graduated summa cum laude in English Literature, in 1992. At Miami, she became active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) and, after graduation, she joined the IVCF staff serving Ohio University and Marietta College. After two years with IVCF, she felt called to serve God in other ways, but she remained a supporter of InterVarsity the rest of her life. IVCF friends introduced her to Vineyard Columbus where she continued her faith journey and met Dave Kuta, who became her beloved husband.

Meg and Dave were married on October 24, 2003, and Rachel was born four years later. Meg was a devoted wife and mother and made every birthday and holiday a creative adventure. Together, Meg, Dave, and Rachel shared their love for books and animals, and especially their strong faith.

Meg’s passion for books went beyond her incredible enjoyment of reading. Most of her adult work life was spent in bookstores: Little Professor, Barnes and Noble, and the Vineyard Columbus bookstore, where she enjoyed working for the last seven years. Books were a ministry for Meg. Due to her voracious reading, she had a gift, enhanced by the Holy Spirit, to be able to suggest just the right book for people at just the right time. Her best days were the many when people told her that she had “recommended the perfect book” for them. Her gift applied not only to Christian literature, but extended equally to children’s books, young adult, biographies, fiction, and almost any other genre.

Meg had an affection for animals of all kinds, which began when she was young. She eventually “guilted” her parents into buying her a guinea pig, and her appreciation and love for animals only grew from there. Many family vacations were built around whatever animal adventure happened to be in that area. Dave and Rachel were happy to be along for the ride. Animals in their natural environment were a particular joy for Meg. She said that any time she saw an animal, it was like God was saying “hello” to her. Groundhogs, bunnies, deer, squirrels, foxes, birds … it didn’t matter; she saw beauty and God’s creativity in each one. Her backyard became a habitat for birds, squirrels, and bunnies, especially Yard Bunny (YB for short) that became her friend during her 10-month battle with choroidal melanoma. He would take a nap right outside the kitchen window where she watched him often.

Meg was a devoted Christian and followed Jesus wholeheartedly. She and a friend helped to rejuvenate the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapter at Miami University when it had all but folded. She loved learning about Scripture through teachers, sermons, and, of course, books. Her faith was evident in her words, but more importantly, through her actions and her life. St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Meg embodied that, showing God to others with her life of service, leadership, and kindness.

Meg’s strong faith became a powerful witness through her Caring Bridge posts over the past year when she was undergoing treatment for choroidal melanoma (still available at CaringBridge.org/visit/Meg Kuta). Her faith gave her courage to face painful treatments with grace and the knowledge that the ultimate healing would come when she met her Lord face to face.

Meg leaves behind her husband Dave; daughter Rachel; parents Gary and Beth Schwarzmueller; sister April (Jeff) Johnson; niece Betsy Johnson; mother-in-law Nancy Kuta; brother-in-law Brian (Koleen) Kuta; nephew Daniel (Heather) Kuta; niece Liz Kuta; and two great nephews; uncle Charles Benson; aunts Shirley Benson and Linda Schwarzmueller; cousins Lori Benson, Rick (Kim) Benson, Liz (Clay) Benson, Kim (Mike) Bartolotti, Caryn (Tim) Reid, Casey (Nancy) Benson, Mark (Carrie) Schwarzmueller, Mark (Hilary) Schwarzmueller, Brian Schwarzmueller, Julie (Ben) Kramer, and Katy (Craig) Paul; godmother Patty Bledsoe; and a multitude of friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Harry and Helen Schwarzmueller and Charles and Margaret Benson; father-in-law Bob Kuta; uncles and aunts Dave (Pat) Schwarzmueller, Mark Schwarzmueller, Lynne Schwarzmueller, Rick Benson, and Louise Benson; cousins Leann Schwarzmueller and David Benson; and godfather Garry Bledsoe.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Meg’s favorite charities: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895; Save the Manatee Club: 533 Versailles Dr. Suite 100, Maitland, FL 32751; or Aunt Mary’s Storybook Project, in care of Vineyard Columbus Bookstore: 6000 Cooper Rd., Westerville, OH 43081