Margit Stakkestad

Margit was born in 1935, in Seattle, Washington, to Swedish immigrants, John and Linnea Holmer. She joined older brother, John, who she followed everywhere. She grew up in Burien, Washington, graduating from Highline High School. Her childhood included being surrounded by friends, aunts and uncles, and running around their five-acre property on 124th Street. She also played in a women’s baseball league popular in the 1940s & 1950s.

After high school, she started attending the University of Washington. After graduation, she began her career as a high school teacher, first at North Thurston and later at Glacier High School in Burien. At Miller’s Department Store in Olympia, she was introduced to Harry Stakkestad, a fellow teacher in the district. Dad liked to joke that everyone wondered why she picked him! They were married in 1959 and Mom felt blessed to join the large Stakkestad Family! Mom and Dad began a life based on the love of family, sharing teacher stories and strategies, attending church events faithfully, and spending time with friends.

Margit paused her teaching career for fourteen years to raise her children, Carey, Annie, and John. She was the mother that everyone wanted to have; caring, a great listener, and a continual positive force in our lives. She returned to teaching, this time as a second-grade teacher, at Lakes and Pleasant Glade Elementary Schools. Watching kids start to read was a big highlight!

Margit was a longtime member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. She loved to greet her church friends with that 1000-watt smile! Being involved in church projects, especially related to those without, was foremost for Margit. She advocated tirelessly for children who needed a boost.

In her later years, Mom attended countless band concerts, soccer tournaments, basketball games, dance competitions, graduation ceremonies, and weddings, for her five grandchildren. She was the biggest cheerleader in their lives!

Some of Mom’s favorite things included lemon meringue, fuchsias in the spring, the Seattle Mariners, and her beloved furry friends. She was often on walking trails with her cocker spaniel, Sunni, in the Lacey area.

Margit is survived by her children, Carey (Dean), Annie (Michael), John, her grandchildren, Linnea Catherine (Bo), Nicholas (Savannah), Jack (Alexa), Ashley Margit (John), and Collin . In 2024, her first great-grandson, Grayson, was born. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Nadine Holmer, and brother-in-law, Sigurd Stakkestad and his wife, Sharon, her nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

A memorial service will be held on March 28th at 11:00 am at her church, St. Mark Lutheran Church, 2109 SE College Street, Lacey, WA 98503.