Margaret Anne Jedele

Margaret Anne Jedele was called to heaven to join her beloved husband Emerson on Oct. 5, 2015, at the age of 94. She was born on the 4th of July, 1921, in Clover Valley, to John and Elizabeth (Abrahamse) Ronhaar.

As a young woman, her parents sold the farm in Clover Valley to the Navy and moved into town.

Margaret was a member of the Oak Harbor High School graduating class of 1939. Following high school, Margaret went to work for the phone company as an operator. A young soldier from Michigan, Emerson Jedele, was working at Fort Casey with the Signal Corps, and he was the switchboard operator for the fort. He talked with Margaret on a regular basis and on one of his liberty days, he visited Oak Harbor and looked up Margaret. Margaret introduced Emerson to her parents and her father took and immediate liking to Emerson. Romance ensued and on June 3, 1943, Margaret and Emerson were married. Daughter Coriene was added to the family in 1944.

Emerson was discharged from the service and he moved his young family to Ann Arbor, Mich., and son Keith joined the family. Emerson worked in Michigan for a time, but returned to Oak Harbor in 1956. He was hired by Whidbey Press as a pressman and bookbinder. Margaret began her career in Oak Harbor when she was hired by Ray Cusworth at Everett Trust and Savings Bank to work as a teller. She advanced through the various positions within the bank and the various mergers, moving from Everett Trust to Pacific Northwest Bank and finally to Wells Fargo. She retired from banking as a secretary with more than 30 years of service.

Margaret and Emerson became lifelong members of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Margaret eventually held every office within Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and also taught confirmation class for many years. She also became one of the earliest members of the Stephen’s Ministers at Church. She was very active within the community, serving as a longtime member of the Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She was even nominated for Citizen of the Year for Oak Harbor.

Margaret was a very gifted seamstress, producing tailor quality work. She also was an accomplished organist and pianist.

Margaret moved to Mount Vernon six years ago to be near her daughter.

Margaret is survived by her children, Coriene (Donald) DeVries of Sedro Woolley and Keith (Donna) Jedele of San Antonio, Texas; by one brother John “Jim” Ronhaar and one sister Doris Nyhoff, both of Oak Harbor; and one sister-in-law Beatrice Ronhaar of Lynden. She is also survived by grandchildren Scott (Stacy) Green and children Nicholas and Christopher; Bradley (Michelle) Green and son Joshua; Brian (Vyonne) Green and children Megan, Joseph and Kenneth (Tasha) and their son Brandon; Doniene (Jerimiah) Reynolds and children Geordon and Elsa; Kevin (Tonia) Jedele and children Jaxon and Clive; Kelly Jedele and daughter Carli Vinciguerra; Dana (Able) Gonzales and daughter Mia; and Tadd and Shana Lipscomb and children Carson and Kate. Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband Emerson and by her brothers Carl, Dan and Robert.

Memorial services for Margaret Jedele will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, with Pastor Marc Stroud and Pastor Jeffrey Spencer officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Private family graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in Margaret’s name.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor. Please visit Margaret’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.