Margaret Belle 'Margiebel' Hart, 87

Margaret Belle “Margiebel” Hart passed away peacefully on July 22, 2017, in Whitefish.

Margiebel was born Oct. 20, 1929, to C. Wyman and Velma Taylor in Missoula. She grew up in Polson where she graduated from Polson High School in 1947.

She married Lawrence “Larry” Hart in 1947 and, in 1950, they moved to Lakeside where they raised their family. Margiebel took great pride in the fact that she could slalom water ski and never gave up her search for a picture to post at her retirement home to prove it!

In 1971, Margiebel and Larry moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where they owned and operated Caveman campers for 15 years. She and Larry lived in Montana and Virginia until 1995 when they retired and returned to Oregon. Margiebel returned “home” to the Flathead Valley in July 2016 to enjoy the mountains, Flathead Lake, and time with her family.

Wherever she lived, Margiebel remained active in her community, and she was a member of Bahari, Western Star and Eastern Star. During her more than 50 years of active membership in Eastern Star, she held the office of Worthy Matron several times.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Gary B. Taylor, and her son-in-law Clyde Stearns.

She is survived by a son, Dennis (Monica) Hart, daughter Candi Stearns, brother Wyman D. (Dee) Taylor, sisters-in-law Betty Erickson and Dorothy (Wayne) Haas, her granddaughters, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and friend of more than 60 years Helen Stevens.

The family also would like to express their sincere gratitude to the excellent staff at The Springs, particularly Kim and Savannah.

Margiebel’s sometimes sweet, often feisty, but always loving attitude will be missed by all who knew her.

A private service will be held at Margiebel’s request.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children.