Margaret Walter
April 22, 2010
Margie died peacefully Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10 AM Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Bloomfield United Methodist Church with burial following at Elm Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be from 6-8 PM Monday at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home.
Margaret was born May 15, 1932 to Mary and Albert Findley in Lovilia, Iowa. She met Duane Walter in high school, she was a freshman and he was a senior. Upon graduation, Duane joined the Navy and left Margaret to continue her education. Although, they were separated by many miles, they both wrote hundreds of letters to each other, all of which are still kept in a safe spot in their home. After Duane returned from the Navy they were married, June 25th 1950. They started their life together, on the farm in Lovilia. In 1954, they moved to Des Moines, where Duane and Margie soon built a home together. Duane spent long hours working on the new house, each day after completing his work at Neumann Construction and Margie, made sure he always had good food in his belly. Cooking was Margie’s art. She didn’t follow a recipe, just a pinch of this, a pinch of that, and it was always perfection. She not only practiced her art on family and friends, but for more than 18 years she cooked for Des Moines Public Schools. Friends were important to Margie. She looked to her friends for support and guidance. When she had an important decision to make, she looked to her friends for advice and then said “Now, Margaret needs to sleep on this.” In the morning the decision would have been made.
Many happy times were spent with friends as well. Years of trips to Clear Lake, square dancing and camping at Old Thresher’s were all memories she shared. Margie, also enjoyed completing word search books. Many hours were spent searching for that last word that would complete the puzzle.
She is survived by her husband, Duane; children, Kathy (Cliff) Darrah, Randy (Elaine) Walter; grandchildren, Jodi Darrah, Brent Darrah (partner Tricia, with Taylor and Chyanna), and Hannah Walter; a great granddaughter, Madison Darrah, brother, David (Loraine) Findley; numerous nieces, nephews and other family.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Findley.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bloomfield UMC.
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