Margaret Ann Eggart

Margaret Ann Eggart was born December 19, 1928 in Port Huron, Michigan to parents Thomas Henry “Harry” and Edith Maltas. In her early years they lived in Baltimore, Washington DC, and New Hampshire before moving back to the family farm near Capac, Michigan where she graduated in 1946. She spent most of her childhood living in a three-generation household, and her grandparents influenced her greatly. Following High School, she attended college, but she took a year off after her junior year and worked at Ford Motor Company. In 1952 Margaret earned a bachelor’s in music education at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She travelled to Glacier National Park to visit her friend and former college roommate Beth, who was working there, and they continued together to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where she met the man who was to become her future husband.

In 1953 she bought a new Chevrolet car from her brother in law Harold who had purchased ten with a fleet discount, and her sister Jeanne rode with her out to Post Falls, Idaho. She went to a meeting at Spokane in August and learned the only teaching job available in the area was in Lind, WA. Having been raised on a farm she thought that would work so she accepted the position taught there for 2 years.

In August of 1955 she married Ronald Everet Eggart from Post Falls, Idaho and the couple made their home in Kellogg, Idaho. She was a devoted wife and mother of four children. She traveled to Michigan to visit family almost every year until she had children and then less frequently.

Margaret was a school teacher at Kellogg for many years and was a gifted musician who directed choir for forty years at the United Church of Kellogg/Mountain View Congregational Church. She also taught private piano lessons for much of that time and was always willing to share her faith in Jesus. She and Ron were Gideons and distributed Bibles in hospitals and nursing homes.

After Ron’s death in 2012 Margaret lived briefly in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, before moving to Monroe House in Moses Lake, Washington. Many people there appreciated her quick wit, laughter and kindness.

Margaret is survived by sons Dan of Spirit Lake, Idaho and Gary of Spur, Texas, daughter Carol Knopp of Moses Lake, Washington, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and her sister Jeanne Decker of Port Huron, Michigan. Margaret was a wonderful nurturing mother, grandmother, and wife and she will be missed greatly.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Edith, husband Ron, and daughter Mary Ann Palmer.

A memorial service will be held at Mountain View Congregational Church aka United Church of Kellogg in Kellogg, Idaho on Thursday, January 3rd at 11am. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Mountain View Congregational Church.