Margareth Louisa, the daughter of Gustave E. and Ada (Zummak) Plaster, was born February 17, 1919 in Oran, Iowa. She was baptized March 9, 1919 at the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in Oran, by Pastor H. Kovac and confirmed May 15, 1932 at St. Peter’s LutheranChurch in Westgate, Iowa, by Rev. Otto C. Schultz. Margaret attended St. Peter’s Parochial School in Westgate and graduated from WestCentralHigh School in 1977. Margaret was united in marriage with L. Luverne Meyer on September 14, 1940 at the Naval Chapel in Pensacola, Florida, by Pastor E.M. Davis. After her marriage, she worked for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. Margaret served with the United States Marines, as a Private First Class, from 1943 – 1945. After her military service, Margaret worked at several grocery stores in West Union, Iowa and Fayette, Iowa.
Margaret’s death occurred Friday, August 7, 2009 at the CommunityMemorialHospital in Sumner, Iowa, after a brief illness. She was ninety years old. Margaret was a member of St. JohnLutheranChurch in Sumner. She was a life member of the Thomas E. Woods American Legion Post #223; a past member of the International Women’s Marine Association and the Iowa Chapter (The Rose) of the Women’s Marine Association; she was a charter member of the Women in Military Service of American Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #6 (past presidents). She enjoyed volunteering at nursing homes and hospitals; served on the Fayette County Veterans Commission and the Fayette County Veterans Memorial Committee. She had taught Sunday school in Fairbank, Iowa and Fayette, Iowa; and served on the finance board at ZionLutheranChurch in West Union. Margaret enjoyed reading, writing journals, sewing, crocheting, gardening, canning, baking, playing cards, and spending time and cooking for her family.
Margaret is survived by two daughters, Rachel L. Sampson of Evansville, Indiana, and Mary E. Arneson of Bellevue, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Andrea R. Arneson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Lisa (Dennis) Messinger of Evansville, Indiana, MSgt. Jason A. (Amy) Arneson of Rockwall, Texas, and Ryan L. (Sarah) Sampson of Wichita, Kansas, a step granddaughter, Toni M. Sampson of Mukwanago, Wisconsin; thirteen great grandchildren; a sister, Norma Yungtum of Sumner, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Velma Meyer of Garden Grove, California; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband; one grandson, John R. Jarvis; her parents; two brothers, Frederick and Paul Plaster; one sister, Evelyn Hoth; and one son-in-law, Robert l. Sampson.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Intern Jealaine Marple officiating. Burial will be held in St. Peter’s LutheranCemetery in Westgate. Friends may call for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Thomas E. Woods American Legion Post #223 in Sumner or to St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner.
