Margaret Sarah (Boyer) Palmer was born in Jackson County Iowa, January 25, 1927 and died at Brookdale-North Scottsdale in Scottsdale.on May 3, 2020 (age 93). Margaret grew up in southeast Iowa, enjoying ice skating, swimming and softball as a child. She graduated from Maquoketa High School, enrolling at the University of Dubuque for a year then transferred to Iowa State College where she majored in Institutional Management. To earn college tuition money, Margaret waited tables at a restaurant in Ames where she met a co-worker and her future husband, Lyle Palmer. On December 27, 1948 and ten days after she graduated from college, Margaret married Lyle in a small Episcopal church in Maquoketa.
In 1950, they moved to West Liberty, Iowa where Lyle taught Vocational Agriculture for two years. They then moved to Keota, Iowa to start farming with Lyle’s father. On the farm, Margaret was an equal partner in managing the farm’s affairs, maintained a large garden and, not to mention, started a family which included three very energetic children. Margaret was active in many community activities, teaching Sunday school and serving on countless Church committees. She was involved in a number of women’s philanthropic organizations which included Eastern Star, T.T.T. and, her favorite, P.E.O. Margaret was initiated into P.E.O. in 1953 and held every office in its local chapter. After her children were in school, Margaret served five years as a welfare worker in the state’s Department of Child Protective Services for Child Abuse and Neglect. For health reasons, Margaret and her family moved to Phoenix in 1973. While her children were finishing high school, Margaret taught toddler swimming lessons to meet friends in her new neighborhood. She served as a Deacon & Elder Co-Chair in her church, remained active in P.E.O and continued a long-time passion for playing cards. She later received her real estate license and served as a Realty Executives Broker for 32 years.
Her retirement activities included RVing to many North American destinations. In 2018, she celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary with Lyle, her now late husband. Family, church, and Bridge were what Margaret loved most. She was known for her warmth, community leadership, focus, mentoring, devotion to children and positive outlook on life. Surviving are her sister, Pat (Boyer) O’Donnell; sons, Perry (Terry) Palmer & Tom (Mary) Palmer; and daughter, LuAnn (Greg) Smith. Also surviving are grandchildren, Lauren Palmer, Sarah (Palmer) Schaid, Scott Palmer, Haley Smith, and Ryan Smith. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Palmer; her parents, Earl and Erma Boyer; and infant daughter, Barbara Jo Palmer. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be sent in memory of Margaret Palmer to P.E.O. Chapter AS, Re: E.L.F. Fund, c/o Ruth Hampton, 4352 N. 69th Place, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
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