Notes:
Margaret Valentine "Marge" Moomaw
Omak, WA
Margaret Valentine "Marge" Moomaw, 90, passed peacefully at her home on April 28, 2012, surrounded by her family. She was born February 14, 1922, in Waterville and lived a full and productive life in Omak, WA. She was Mom, grandma, and friend to many who loved her. On November 28, 1940, she married a cowboy and the love of her life, Leo Moomaw and became step-mother to his eight children, Sade, Ida, Ed, Wade, Rich, Duane, Edie and Marie. Son, Ted, and daughter, Peggy, were born in 1944 and 1947, to complete the family of ten children. Marge was a talented seamstress and kept the family in high quality, handmade clothing. Leo and Marge traveled with rodeo stock throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada between 1940 and 1960. In 1940, Leo and Marge traveled to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas with the rodeo outfit to provide bucking horses for rodeos in the southern states. There are many stories to tell about their travels. Upon his retirement from rodeo in 1960, Leo and Marge operated a ranching business with Wade and Aggie Moomaw, raising and trading quarter horses and cattle. After Leo passed away in June 1969, Marge worked as a store clerk in Okanogan and joined service organizations. On her retirement, Marge traveled with her sister, Hazel, on many mystery trips around the country, led by a tour organizer who did not disclose the destination until the group was on the airplane. In her late years, Marge joined with a number of friends that developed into a supportive family, fondly called the "lunch bunch," who met regularly for lunch at a restaurant in Okanogan County.
Marge was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their accomplishments. Her hobby as a photographer produced numerous pictures of her family and scenery found across the country. Marge is survived by her children: Peggy (Bob) Nelson of Omak; Ted (Joanne) Moomaw of Baird, TX; Edie (Vern) Stevens of Omak; daughters-in-law: Aggie, Elaine and Katie Moomaw; grandchildren: Ted E. Moomaw of Omak; Dale Moomaw of Weatherford, TX; Lisa Nelson of Omak; and Amy Nelson of Omak; great-grandchildren: Morgan Moomaw, Conner Picking, Jaedyn Brady, Kaden Moomaw, Evelyn Picking and Bryson Butterfly; brothers: Edward Bonwell and Joe Bonwell; sisters: Hazel Wenham and Dorothy McCaughn, Kent and Pauline McCracken of Salisbury, NC; and numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, on Elmway between Omak and Okanogan, at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Lunch will follow at the Okanogan Eagles. Viewing will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the funeral home. Graveside Service will be held at the Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens.