Margaret M. Kohlhase

MISSOULA – Margaret M. "Miggy" Kohlhase, a longtime Missoula and Stevensville resident, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 8, 2013, at the Riverside Health Care Center in Missoula. Miggy was blessed during her years at Riverside living under the care of the loving and compassionate staff. The family will be forever grateful to this fine organization.

Margaret was born Oct. 2, 1916, to James Clarence Morgan and Zay Adams Morgan in Choteau. She grew up in a family of three brothers and four sisters. The family moved to Missoula in the 1920s and took up residence on 200 S. Fifth St. E. Margaret was a graduate of Missoula County High School. She married Harold C. Kohlhase on Oct. 2, 1937, following his graduation from pharmaceutical school at the University of Montana. Harold and Margaret purchased the Peterson Drug on North Higgins Avenue that same year. Harold enlisted in the Navy and served until his honorable discharge in 1945. During the time of Harold's service, Margaret managed the store. While doing so, she was known for her lovely window and counter displays and quality beauty and candy products. In the mid-1970s they sold the store and retired. They then spent 25 years on their farm near Stevensville until Harold's death in 2002.

Margaret was a person of many talents. She had a great love of animals and spent many years raising and showing horses. She and Harold traveled throughout the Northwest to various horse shows. Margaret was a talented painter and created many lovely watercolors, which are treasured by family members and friends. She also created and painted many beautiful pieces of pottery, but her greatest creative love was weaving. Many wonderful materials were woven on her beautiful loom. Many in the family enjoyed plaid items woven and sewed by Margaret. She was an expert on the origins of threads, colors and of various patterns. At one time, she wove the material and created a suit for her husband Harold. She always decorated her homes beautifully and was a gracious hostess. Margaret was a wonderful cook and was the host for many family gatherings and the creator of many memorable meals and celebrations. She also loved flowers and for many years was a member of the Missoula Garden Club. One cannot remember Miggy without thinking of things gracious and beautiful.

Margaret was a member of Holy Spirit Episcopal Parish of Missoula and also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She held various offices within that organization during the years.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, James C. and Zay Morgan; husband, Harold C. Kohlhase; sisters, Helen, Ethel, Lucille and Zay; and brothers, James C. Jr., Robert and John. Survivors include many nieces and nephews, Jon Jourdonnais, Marcia (Morgan) Twilde, Denise (Morgan) Anglin, Barbara (Burns) Miller, Doug Morgan, Richard Morgan, Gail (Morgan) Barney, Kathryn (Morgan) McCall, Michael Morgan, Dennis Morgan, Thomas Morgan, Mary Morgan, Susan (Morgan) Lipke, William Morgan, and Dean Kohlhase and Barbara (Kohlhase) Kuller.

Miggy will greatly missed by her family and many friends.

A memorial to celebrate Margaret's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Holy Spirit Episcopal Parish of Missoula on 130 S. Sixth St. E. A private burial service will be handled by Sunset Memorial Cemetery and Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to any animal charity.

Read Margaret Kohlhase's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.