Obituary

Margaret Elizabeth (Krom) Bolz

Died: March 15, 2014, approx. 8:00 PM

Margaret Elizabeth (Krom) Bolz was born on the family wheat farm outside of Dusty Washington on October 4, 1920. She was the oldest of seven surviving children of German parents John Krom and Elizabeth (Dippel) Krom who immigrated from the Volga River region of Russia in the early 1900's with their parents. As a young girl, Margaret helped on the family farm and soon became interested in music, specifically the piano, beginning a passion she would have for her entire life. Her father loved to sing and as the family grew, they began to sing and harmonize together around the house with Margaret providing the piano accompaniment. She also took up the organ and played for her first wedding at age 10. She graduated from Lacrosse High School in 1938 and from Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington in 1940. It was there that she met her future husband Reamer A. Bolz, then of Spokane, Washington, although they did not marry until after Reamer returned from service in World War II.

During and following the war, Margaret worked for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, first in Spokane and eventually in Pasco, Washington. While in Spokane, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church choir and the Bel Canto Club women's choral group. She and her two sisters, Alma and Ruby, also sang with The Serenaders musical group which had a radio program Sunday nights in Spokane in 1945. She and Reamer were married on June 12, 1948 at First Presbyterian Church in Spokane, and Margaret continued to work in Pasco as Reamer completed his degree at Washington State College (now University) on the GI Bill. In June 1950, they moved to Portland, Oregon where he continued his career with the Union Pacific Railroad, his employer since before the war. Their two sons, Christopher (1954) and Robin (1957) were born there. She was very active in their lives as Den Mother in Cub Scouts, helping them with their studies, and always encouraging them in their athletic and artistic pursuits. She also continued her great passion for music, always filling her home with the sound of her piano, and serving as pianist and organist at Central Bible Church for many years. She was very involved in Republican politics serving as precinct committee woman and in many local, state and national campaigns. In her little spare time she became an accomplished bridge player and avid gardener. Her specialties were hybridizing iris and growing prize-winning roses.

In December 1969, the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming with Reamer's transfer by the Union Pacific as Superintendant of their rail welding facility there. Margaret jumped right into getting involved in the community by serving as the Director of Welcome Wagon in Laramie, Christian Women's Club, local and state Republican politics, military wives club, the local bridge club and of course using her musical gifts extensively. Gardening in Laramie was initially a challenge compared to Portland, but soon she mastered that as well. She won "Best Yard" in Laramie several years in a row and eventually became a judge to allow other yards to be recognized. Botany classes from the University of Wyoming would come to see her large display of indigenous plants. She was pianist and organist at Grace Baptist Church in Laramie for several decades and played for church services, concerts, social events and countless weddings and funerals. She particularly loved writing her own arrangements of both secular and sacred music, transposing music to accompany vocalists, and even wrote two original compositions. It was through her music she was able to express her love and worship for the God she loved and to minister to others of that love.

In 2004, Reamer and Margaret moved to Eugene, Oregon where their oldest son, Chris, lived, due to health reasons. Her adoring husband passed away in January 2011 after 63 years of marriage. Margaret passed away peacefully on March 15, 2014 in the company of her loving family, listening to recordings of her music.

She is survived by her son Chris and his wife Heidi, grandson Jeremy and his wife Ali, all of Eugene, Oregon, and granddaughter Megan and her husband Andy Megal and her first great grandchild Noah Andrew Megal born March 3, 2014 in Denver, Colorado; also by her son Robin, his wife Janet and granddaughters Brittany and Kenley of Sammamish, Washington. She is also survived by sisters Ruby Brown of Sun City West, Arizona, Virginia Sanders of Colfax, Washington, Joanne Kimmel of Talent, Oregon and Claudia Marshall of Renton, Washington as well as by her brother, John Krom and his wife Kay of Pullman, Washington. Preceding her in death was her sister Alma Natwick.

Margaret will be interred at Dusty Cemetery at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 22, 2014 with a memorial service following at 11:15 AM at Country Bible Church on State Route 127 southwest of Dusty, Washington, the church in which she grew up and was confirmed in 1934 (then St. John's Congregational Church). Funeral arrangements are through Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax, Washington.