Margaret Ann Fetterolf, a resident of Oak Harbor, Wash., went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on March 26, 2015.
She was born in Sheridan, Ore., to Carl and Emma Merz on Nov. 28, 1931, the youngest of seven children.
She spent her childhood on the prairies of Yelm, Wash. during the Great Depression and in Tacoma, Wash. during World War II.
She lost her mother to leukemia at the tender age of five. Starting at the age of 10 and for the next 10 years, she took care of her newborn nieces and nephews as they entered the world, traveling to the homes of her brothers and sisters.
As a result, she developed an extra close relationship that continued throughout her lifetime with each of the nine nieces and 11 nephews.
In the fall of 1950, she went on a church youth hayride in Grandview, Wash., and met a young man from Virginia by the name of Charles Fetterolf.
They married on Dec. 7, 1951, while he was serving in the Navy. Their only child, Janice Eileen, was born Feb. 20, 1954 – the day after Charles shipped out for a nine-month deployment.
Charles, who loved farming, had to change his life’s vocation at the age of 28 due to the devastating onset of rheumatoid arthritis. He went to college on the GI Bill and became an elementary school teacher. One of Margaret’s joys in life was helping with classroom projects, decorating bulletin boards and baking birthday cakes every month for 30 years.
She was a servant to whomever needed her, be it family or friend. The hallmarks of her life were gratitude and genuine love for all those God brought into her life. Since moving to Oak Harbor 5 years ago, she continued the visitation ministry to the home bound and assisted living residents that she was delighted to be a part of for the last 25 years.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 2004 and by her three brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her daughter Janice Merry (1554 SW Vanguard St. Oak Harbor, WA 98277 360 720-2575). She is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews who remained very dear to her heart.
Two services are scheduled. A graveside service will be held at Tahoma Cemetery (1802 Tahoma Ave., Yakima, WA 98902) at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. A memorial service to celebrate the loving life of Margaret Ann Fetterolf will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, 250 SW 3rd Ave.
Margaret Ann was always active in the support of youth ministries, children’s ministries and the elimination of hunger and poverty. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to one of the following ministries:
1. First Reformed Youth Mission Trip to Mexico, 250 SW 3rd Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277
2. Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607, website: www.samaritanspurse.org
3. Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202, website: Heifer.org
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.whidbeymemorial.com
