Margaret Ann Meier, 76, of Holton, died Friday, March 18, 2005 at her home.

Mrs. Meier was born Margaret Ann Beavers, October 12, 1928 in Junction City, the daughter of Edmund and Hattie Beavers. She grew up on a farm on Humboldt Creek near Junction City and began her education at a nearby country school. She completed her elementary and secondary education at St. Xavier, Junction City, in 1947. As a young girl she was very active in 4-H as a cattlewoman showing Champion Herefords. After high school she went to Marymount College, Salina, and completed her nurses training at St. John’s Hospital, Salina, in 1950.

Margaret spent her life caring for others and worked in many rural hospitals across Kansas before settling in Holton at the Jackson County Health Department in 1972. While working there she started many programs and was recently recognized as a Pioneer for the Jackson County Friends of Hospice. She retired in 1989 and continued to volunteer for Hospice. She enjoyed spending her summers fishing in Canada with her husband and friends. She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, and the Altar Society and Mary Ann Circle at the church.

She married Marvin Meier on January 22, 1953 at St. Xavier in Junction City. He survives of the home.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Beavers, of Elmo, Raymond Beavers, of Wakefield, and John Beavers, of Junction City; and two sisters, Mary Ellen Gustafson, of Junction City and Teresa Mary Beavers, who died in infancy.

Other survivors include one daughter, Mary Kay White and husband, Ronald, Lawrence; three sons, Dr. Michael Meier and wife, Cheryl, Salina, Mel Meier and wife, Teresa, Topeka, and Shane Meier and wife, Patty, Newton; two sisters, Mildred McLaughlin, Chapman, and Edna Green, Chino, California; a brother, Jim Beavers, Junction City; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 21st at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery west of Holton. Margaret will lie in state at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton where family and friends will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. A parish rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Memorials to Jackson County Friends of Hospice, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, 524 Pennsylvania, Holton 66436.
Contributor: Judy McAsey Arnold (47137206) •