Margaret Wallgren

Margaret Wallgren died May 11, 2004, at Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon, at the age of 93. She was born Jan. 23, 1911 in Cle Elum to Joseph and Janet (Reid) DeVere. Margaret grew up in Cle Elum and graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1930. She began working at the Autorest restaurant in Cle Elem.

Margaret was married June 30, 1934 to Edward L. Wallgren in Ellensburg. The Wallgrens made their home in Ronald and began to raise their family while Ed worked as a coal miner. The Wallgrens moved to the Fremont district of Seattle in 1942 and in 1948, moved to Oak Harbor, settling in the Cornet Bay area.

Margaret worked for a time in a restaurant and then at the Oak Harbor Sears store. She also worked for a time at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. In 1959, she began a 13-year career as secretary at Oak Harbor High School. She retired in 1971.

Margaret and Ed loved to fish and could be found fishing the hole at Deception Pass or off West Beach. Her greatest fishing event was landing a 38-pound salmon. She and Ed also enjoyed camping and traveling. Margaret also enjoyed sewing, knitting, hiking, and playing pinochle and cribbage. She was most proud of her family.

Margaret and Ed made two trips to Alaska, traveled to the Dakotas, Disneyland and attended several Rose Bowl games. Ed died in 1983. Margaret continued her travels, visiting the Amazon, Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti, Africa, Eastern Canada and Peru.

Margaret was a member and past president of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club No. 450. She was also a past president of the Washington State Emblem Clubs. She was a long time member of the Whidbey Island Walkers.

Margaret moved in January 2004 from the family home at Cornet Bay to Creekside Retirement Community in Burlington where she met many new friends.

Margaret is survived by three children: Margaret Ann “Peggy” Nolan and husband Paul of Edmonds; E. J. “Bud” Wallgren and wife Mia of Oak Harbor, and Kathleen Sue Perry and husband Tom of Mount Vernon; and by five sisters, Viola Eaton of Coyle, Emma Grace Davis of Everett, Anna Mae Delauranti and Evelyn Monson, both of Kent, and Evelyn Rodgers of Coyle.

Margaret is also survived by nine grandchildren, Paul Nolan, Jr. and wife Tami of Bow, Rory Wallgren and wife Lynda of Bellingham, David Nolan and wife Brooke of Mill Creek, Karmel Miller and husband Joe of San Jose, Susie Perry of Mount Vernon, Tom Perry and wife Renee of Edison, Joanne Bruland and husband Erik of Mount Vernon, Jennifer Tenborg and husband Brent of Mount Vernon, and Jimmy Perry of Mount Vernon; and eight great-grandchildren, Shylah Wallgren of Oak Harbor, Daniel Nolan of Bow, Lacy Wallgren of Bellingham, Kyle and Hailey Nolan of Mill Creek, Davis and Margaret Miller of San Jose, and Ashley Bruland of Mount Vernon. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Ed and by five brothers.

Funeral services for Margaret Wallgren will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel Monday, May 17, at 1 p.m., with the Oak Harbor Emblem Club No. 450 officiating. Graveside services will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel Monday from 9 a.m. to noon. Memorials may be made to the Tall Ladies, c/o the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.