Waechter, Margaret Elizabeth (Wilcox) 1912-2007

WAECHTER, WILCOX, BEVAN

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/26/2008 at 19:47:45

Margaret Elizabeth Wilcox was born on April 13, 1912, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Her mother, Margaret Pearl Bevan Wilcox was a native of Oskaloosa and her father, Edgar Boone Wilcox was born in the state of Kentucky.

Margaret was the youngest of their three children, as she had two older brothers, Leigh and Bevan Wilcox. Margaret attended the Oskaloosa schools K-12 and during high school her mother, Margaret Bevan, passed away. She was buried on Margaret Elizabeth's 14th birthday, following which her father, Dr. Edgar Wilcox, a physician, took all three of his children to Europe. Margaret graduated the highest in her class from Oskaloosa High School. Margaret Elizabeth attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin, Ohio for one year. From a great musical heritage going back to her mother, Margaret Pearl Bevan, a fine singer, Margaret Elizabeth continued her studies in music and social work at William Penn College in Oskaloosa for one year and the University of Iowa at Iowa City, Iowa for two years. She graduated a top scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Iowa in 1934.

While she attended the university, Margaret Elizabeth met Donald Waechter. Margaret and Donald were united in marriage on October 10, 1935, at the parental Wilcox residence in Oskaloosa, which was attended by college friends and relatives. To this union two children were born: Thomas Judson Waechter on February 19, 1940 and Margaret Ann Waechter on August 16, 1946.

Margaret and Donald raised their two children in Pella with each pursuing their own careers. As well as being a mother, Margaret Elizabeth was a case worker for the Marion County Emergency Relief Office while Donald continued in the lumber business with his grandfather, A. Waechter, and his father, G.H. "Grady" Waechter until the business was sold in 1968. Margaret and Donald's marriage was complimented as each enjoyed serious music and participation in all community groups. Margaret played violin and viola in orchestras for 80 years and Donald "Bucky", an organizer of the Pella Jazz Band, played in the city band for over 65 years.

He passed away July 11, 1992 at the age of 84 years. Then on November 3, 1992, at the age of just 46 years, their daughter, 'Marguerite' Ann Caille, passed away at her residence in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Margaret Elizabeth was best remembered by her children, Thomas and Marguerite, as a brilliant scholar and mother.

On Wednesday evening, April 18, 2007, Margaret Elizabeth passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, having just observed her 95th birthday.

She is survived by her son, Thomas J. Waechter of Pella; two special granddaughters: Natalie Margaret Caille, age 27 years of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Colette Anais Caille, age 25 years of San Francisco, California; a son-in-law, Christian Raphael Martin Caille of St. Caradec, France; and a sister-in-law, Ann Walker of Oskaloosa.

Margaret Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her daughter, Margaret Ann Caille; her parents: Dr. Edgar and Margaret Wilcox; her step-mother, Caroline (Walker) Wilcox; her parents-in-law, Gerrit Henry and Clara Marie Kramer Waechter; her step-mother-in-law, Exie M. Waechter; her two brothers: Leigh Wilcox and Bevan Wilcox; and a step-brother, George Walker. A special international 'grandson' for "Mugga" Margaret was the Romanian tenor, Florin Olimpio Ormenisan, in his past five American seasons.

Margaret had been a faithful member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella since 1935. She appreciated orchestra music, enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, and will be remembered as a most generous, intelligent worker.

For those desiring to make a memorial, contributions may be given for Hospice of Pella, Iowa

The Pella Chronicle, June 1, 2007