Keizer- I have departed this life to be reunited with my Carl, our infant daughters, and our many friends who are already with God, but I would like you to know a few things about my life. I was born in Hollywood, California on November 14, 1916. My big city childhood during the depression was quite an experience. We had lots of oranges and figs, and my uncle would drive to the ocean pier in his Model T Ford for fish.
Fun things in my childhood: chaing the ice wagon to get ice chips, riding my scooter made from an old skate and apple box, or visiting Grandma whose neighbor had an ice cream wagon. Once in awhile he would give us a cone saying “his horse shouldn’t have it.” My early school years were in a Catholic Convent. My high school was unique-under the Recovery Act, it was decided that children should be better prepared for life. You had to choose a career. I chose home economics and spent four years learning to cook, sew, landscape, arrange flowers, etc. My first job was in a florist shop. My second was for the Stores protective Association. In early 1936, I met Carl at a Young Peoples Halloween Dance. Three months later we were married. Carl took his city girl to his folk’s Oregon Farm. We had a little house in an apple orchard. I quickly learned about a 2 hole house out back, where a woodpecker slept at night. A pump instead of running water, a big black stove you had to stuff with wood and set dampers.
Our first ten years were challenging. We lost two babies, and my mother, and Carl spent the war years in the Navy Sea Bees. I learned fast about pigs that climbed fences and cows that needed to visit the neighbors. One really good thing happened. We bought our farm, 10 acres for $1350 where we build our first house for $500. When the war was over we adopted 2 infants, a girl and a boy. The years have been full and good with many opportunities to serve God and to learn. I spent summers studying for a degree in Christian Education, followed by years of service in the PTA, 4H, Camp Fire and Cub Scouts. I enjoyed teaching, working with the YMCA and serving on various boards. All this while farming 10 acres ~ Life was never boring! Carl retired in 1969 and in 1973 we moved to the Woodburn Senior Estates. We spent our winters in the California desert until 1990 when travel became too much of an effort. We moved to the Willamette Lutheran Home and met countless new friends there.
Carl went his Lord in the year 1998. Our two children have blessed us with four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. If asked what I most enjoyed in life, it would be People and Learning. I guess my curiosity bump was oversized! God has given me a useful life. Through good times and bad, He has given me the courage and opportunities to use the talents he provided. Willamette Retirement Community provided Carl and me with a safe haven for our last years. Our children, grand children and great grandchildren have been an added joy. So thanks to the many that cared, be happy, and know that I am with my Carl, I know God is real and He does care about each one of us!
Margaret’s survivors include: brother, James Bowers and nephew Dennis; daughter Barbara and husband Timothy Bennington; grandchildren Sean (wife Melanie,great grand children Sierra, Taylor and Brooklyne), Andrew (wife Stacy, great grand children Jacob, Alaina, and Evelyn) and Wendy, Bennington; son James Miller, and grandson Nathan Miller (wife Dulcey, great grand children Nocota, and Preston).
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 27th at the Willamette Lutheran Retirement Community Chapel, 7693 Wheatland Road N. Keizer, OR. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, Salem.