Margita Sutherland/Howell

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved mother Margita, on Sept. 27, 2023. She was 79 years old. Margita was born in Baden Baden, Germany on July 7, 1944. She grew up in Karlsruhe, Germany.

When she was 19, she married Dean Sutherland, a US serviceman. After Dean’s service in Vietnam, they lived with their four boys on the south hill in Spokane. Margita became a US citizen in 1982. Dean passed away in 1983. Margita later married Joseph Howell.

Margita was employed by Spokane Public School District as a teacher’s aide, until she retired after more than 20 years. As outgoing as she was, she wanted to be around people, so she took a job as a demo rep at Costco. She worked there for approximately 5 years and made many new friends. She had a special place in her heart for all animals. If you came around with your pet, they never went away hungry.

She had a deep love for her family and friends. She is survived by her four sons, Manuel (Vickie), Richard (Shelley), Geven (Tracey) and Larry (Tamara). She was “Oma” to 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Besides her own, she had numerous grandkids from friends and neighbors that called her “Oma” as well. She will be forever missed and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her. She made an indelible impression on everyone she met.

Service will be on Oct. 21 at 1:00 pm at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N. Pines Rd. in the Spokane Valley. The celebration of life will be at a different site right after the service. The location will be announced then.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Sutherland family.