Margaret Elizabeth Jacobson, 88, passed away Wednesday morning, March 27, 2013, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She was born April 10, 1924, in Minneapolis, the daughter of August Henry Miller and Ethel Elizabeth (Jackson) Miller.  

She was the oldest of five children. They moved to Bigfork when Margaret was a young girl, and then later to Kalispell. She graduated from Flathead County High School in 1942.

She met the love of her life, Leland, who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While he was serving in the South Pacific, she went to Portland and worked for Montgomery Ward. At war's end, Leland returned and they married Feb. 17, 1946. She then worked in Kalispell at the local union offices.

Following the birth of their daughter, Connie, a couple of years later, Margaret became a homemaker. She loved to bake and would can and freeze fruits and vegetables to sustain the family through the winter. The coffee pot was always on.

When their son Dennis was born, Margaret increasingly spent time at PTA meetings, became a den mother and Sunday school teacher. After the kids were grown and gone, she enjoyed keeping busy with selling Sarah Coventry jewelry at home parties, attending church circles and bowling in the women's league. She loved to do embroidery and knitted many afghans for the family.  She had lovingly sewed doll clothes for her daughter, and in later years made Christmas dresses for her granddaughters.

Margaret was a charter member of the Eagles. She was also a member of the Women of the Moose and worked her way up in the organization to become a star recorder and deputy grand regent. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to many Moose events. She was also a member of the Marine Corps League and enjoyed helping with the Toys for Tots project at Christmas time.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; brother, Arnold Miller; and sister, Arlene Barry-Fry.

Margaret is survived by her two children, son Dennis Jacobson and daughter Connie Walsh, both of Kalispell. She is also survived by granddaughter, Amy Roden Kolb, and husband, Robert, of Hailey, Idaho, and great-granddaughters, Piper and Zoey; granddaughter, Krista Roden Toporcer, of Kalispell; great-grandsons, Dylan Smith of Missoula and Christian Ward of Kalispell; and great-granddaughter, Bailey Toporcer, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; as well as her brothers, Arvin Miller of Kalispell and Marvin Miller of Lakeside.

Funeral services for Margaret will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Epworth United Methodist Church with Pastor Steve Hermes officiating and burial to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Margaret's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Margaret's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.