Marguerite Audrey Linnea Welch died March 18, 2014, at Providence Medical Center in Everett at the age of 85. She was born to Adrian Arnold and Agnes Ericson on Sept. 20, 1928, in Seattle.

She was raised in Seattle and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946.

Marguerite’s cousin introduced her to a young man, Bert Welch, who, while serving in World War II, was captured and held as a prisoner of war. On Jan. 20, 1947, Bert and Marguerite were married.

The young couple lived on Mercer Island and their family began to grow. Three children were added to the family: Adrianne, Bert Jr. and Colleen.

In 1959, Bert accepted a civil service position at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and the family settled in Oak Harbor. Marguerite soon began working for the Oak Harbor School District as a food service worker at Oak Harbor High School, a position she maintained until her retirement 28 years later.

Marguerite was a 54-year member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. She loved going on cruises, was an avid knitter, cross stitcher and was an avid reader.

She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge No. 254 and a former member of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club No. 450. Her greatest passion was working with the Prisoner of War Association.

Marguerite is survived by three children and their spouses, Adrianne Gerlach and husband Gary of Ellensburg, Wash.; Bert Welch Jr. and Cynthia of Palmer, Alaska; and Colleen Cook-Hamblin and her husband George of Oak Harbor; by five grandchildren, William and Chantel Welch, Shelley and Corey Cook and Joel Gerlach; by three great-grandchildren, Ryan, Tyler and Riley Welch; and her best friend, Geri Vance.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Arnold Ericson.

Memorial services for Marguerite will be held 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 26 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Rev. Marc Stroud officiating.

Donations may be made to the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, to a cancer charity of your choice or to a favorite charity.

Friends and family are invited to visit Marguerite’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com