Margaret Jean Wilson

Margaret “Jeanne” Wilson, 95, of Missoula, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, June 10, 2018, with family and friends at bedside.

She was born an only child on Nov. 27, 1922, in Anoka, Minnesota, to Howard and Nora May Hill. At five her family moved to Williams, Arizona, where she graduated high school. She played the clarinet and piano and loved choir and drama. She attended Flagstaff College where she worked as a secretary and learned stenography. During WWII, she found employment in Flagstaff, Arizona, as a bank teller.

After the war she met a handsome petroleum geologist, her future husband of 59 years, Woodrow “Woody” Wilson. They married on July 28, 1950. Jeanne raised their two children as a homemaker, but rejoined the workforce in her 60s as a Hallmark store clerk. “Snowbirds” between Missoula and Mesa, Arizona, for years, they finally settled in Missoula. Into her 90s, Jeanne was still employed as a bookkeeper. She never retired.

Jeanne and Woody cruised the world. Jeanne loved Christmas and filled their homes with food, decorations and beautifully wrapped packages. Jeanne collected dolls and crafted dollhouses. She played bridge nearly every day. She was named an American Contract Bridge Golden Age Master, last year.

Survivors include her son, Dennis and wife Holly Wilson (Old Town, Idaho) and four children and families; her daughter Cathryn and husband Lamar Rase (Missoula) and two children and families. Jeanne has five great-grandchildren.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens with son Dennis officiating. A memorial service will be held at her church, Christian Life Center, July 9, 2018, at 2 p.m.