Margaret May Mendenhall Lash slipped peacefully into the arms of her Lord, Jesus, on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at her home in Rockville, IN. Margaret was born on November 8, 1917 in Bloomingdale, IN, and was the second child of Raymond and Estella Mendenhall, a Quaker farm family. When she was seven, Margaret and her family moved to Pendleton, IN where she graduated from Pendleton High School. After entering Indiana University at Bloomington in 1936, Margaret met Donald R. Lash, of Auburn, IN who at that time had just set the world's record in the 2-mile run and competed in the 1936 Olympics to Berlin, Germany. Lash was heralded by the press as one of the world's greatest runners, and, while many IU coeds wanted to receive his fraternity pin, Don fell in love with Margaret, and they were soon engaged. Her parents had hoped she would marry a local farmer, and were certain this young man would be unfaithful to their daughter. Yet the couple was married just after Don competed in the Princeton Relays on June 18, 1938 at the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City, and they were faithful to each other until Don passed away on September 19, 1994. The couple had three children, Russell, David, and Marguerite. Upon Don's death, a note containing favorite quotes was found in his wallet, and among them was, "A Mother is the most important, because of the influence she has on her family." Margaret encouraged Don throughout his career in law enforcement and the FBI, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Indiana General Assembly, and Lash Realtors in Rockville. However, Don always gave Margaret the credit for writing his speeches and serving as his administrative assistant in his varied rolls. Margaret served as his campaign manager and strategist when he ran for the State Legislature, and he served for ten consecutive years. If Don was in Indianapolis for the General Assembly, Margaret ran their small farm and kept their home in order during the legislative sessions. When the family built and operated a Christian camp for youth in Parke County called "Camp Wapello", Margaret cooked the meals, created promotional materials, and kept the books. As co-owner of Lash Realtors, Margaret obtained her real estate license and coordinated the office activities and advertising. In addition to all of these activities, Margaret was the spiritual force behind the family, and made sure that wherever they were transferred in the FBI, the family attended church and had daily devotions. She and Don were active with youth groups and teaching Sunday School at the Irvington Methodist Church in Indianapolis. While in Rockville, Margaret served as Regent for the Estabrook Chapter of the D.A.R. She was also active in the Howard Twp. Home Ec Club, Current Literature Club, and the Rockville Methodist Church. She enthusiastically supported Don as he helped establish a clinic for underprivileged women and children, worked with the Parke County Historical Society, and the Parke County Food Pantry. Margaret is survived by her son David of Rockville, her daughter Marguerite Lash Klausmeier of Colorado Springs, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Burial will be in Rush Creek Cemetery, Parke County, IN.