Margaret Marie Meininger

Margaret M. Meininger, 83, died at her Seaview residence on May 7, 2011 with her family at her side that had loving cared for her. A native of Candle, Alaska, she was born there on January 27, 1928, the daughter of Ronald and Marie (Escholt) Gillis. Her father, a native of Nova Scotia, was serving as postmaster in Deering, Alaska where he also mined gold part-time. Her mother was a homemaker and native Inupiat Eskimo. In 1943 her family moved to Vancouver, Washington where Margaret graduated from Catholic high school. In 1947 Margaret married Charles Meininger in Vancouver. They established their first home in the Fruit Valley area of what was then rural Clark County. In 1973 they moved to Ridgefield, Washington where Charles and Margaret farmed 40 acres, retiring to Seaview in 1980. Charles died in November of 2001. A life long member of the Catholic faith, Margaret was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. In past years she was a care giver at Couphlin Convalescent Center in Hazel Dell, Washington. Always one to be active, Margaret enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping, crocheting and knitting and was an excellent cook, canner and provider. Margaret is survived by sons Earl Meininger of Ilwaco, Ron Meininger of Palmer, Alaska and Anthony Meininger of Nahcotta; daughter Paula Frisbie of Portland, OR; sister Mary Teter of Wilsonville, OR; ten grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and numerous other member of her extended family. Funeral service will be Thursday, May 12, 2011, 11:00 AM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. Concluding graveside rites follow at 2:30 PM at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver. The casket will be open Wednesday, 10 AM until 4 PM at Penttila's Chapel. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.