Margaret Louise (Collman) Geisler was born in Byron, Nebraska, raised on a farm near Stoddard, Nebraska, and attended grades 1-8 at District #67. She moved with her family to Hebron, Nebraska, graduated from Hebron High School in 1933, and then attended Hebron Lutheran College from 1933-34. Margaret taught in a one-room school house for three years starting when she was 18. She attended University of Nebraska during the summer, to further her education. She also taught in Doniphan, Nebraska, for four years. She moved to Oregon to marry Tony Geisler in Stevenson, Washington, August 31, 1941. Soon after they moved to Bonneville, Oregon, and later they lived in Wood Village, Troutdale, and eventually settled in Gresham, where their six children were born and raised. Margaret started teaching at East Gresham Grade School and completed her degree at Portland State College in 1964. She retired from Gresham School District in 1979, and then she volunteered and traveled from 1981 to 1995.
Volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Cancer Society, Snow Cap, Gresham Historical Society, mentoring, Emanuel Hospital and Trinity Lutheran Church brought her great pleasure. Being a Sunday School Teacher, choir member, church librarian, on Altar Guild and a member of Esther Circle, were some of her pursuits.
Every week Margaret treated her family to home-made cinnamon rolls–baked on Saturday and devoured on Sunday mornings before church. She gardened and canned fruits and vegetables, supported her children earning their own money by picking berries during the summer, and saw that they all attended college. Singing and playing music, reciting poetry, and writing poetry were lifelong activities. She loved looking at clouds.
Margaret’s passion for education accounts for 15 college degrees in her children and grandchildren. She had great expectations of her 12 ½ great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Candice Bernhardt and her husband, Tony.
Margaret often noted, “I loved teaching. All six of my children are dearly loved. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren add such happiness to this family. We are indeed blessed.”
Surviving Margaret are her children Bob Geisler, Independence, OR; Mardy Stevens (Hank), Gresham, OR; Toni Minus, Auburn, WA; Mary Eastman (Rick), Puyallup , WA; Jim Geisler (Shirley), Gresham, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.
A memorial service will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, 507 W Powell Blvd., Gresham, on Saturday, February 8, at 1 p.m. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
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