10/29/2012
Margaret Emily Shoemaker died October 29, 2012 at Life Care Center of Longmont.
She was 93 years old.
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Margaret was born on December 16, 1918 in Knoxville, IA. She was the third and youngest
child of Harvey W. Holmes and Margaret E. Harsin. Margaret grew up outside of Knoxville,
IA where her family built a home they had ordered from the Sears-Roebuck catalog
that arrived by rail.
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She was always close to her brother Lester Holmes and her sister, Ada Janette De
Camp and spoke fondly of their childhood together as well as keeping in close touch
throughout their lives. She remembered helping out a lot at home growing up, especially
weaving by her mother’s side and making use of any scrap of cloth they had. She
lived in town to attend Knoxville High School and graduated in 1936.
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In 1937 Margaret graduated from Jackson University of Business–Shorthand and Bookkeeping
Course of Study in Chillicothe, MO. She went on to become an executive secretary
to the president of a large insurance company in Des Moines, IA. Throughout her
life, her excellent secretarial skills, organization, and attention to detail were
apparent to anyone who knew her or did business with her.
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On March 21, 1938 Margaret married Arthur E. Shoemaker. Arthur had made deliveries
to the farm while she was away at school and had become acquainted with her mother
and her mother’s excellent baking. When she came back home, her mother has happy
to introduce the helpful young man to her youngest daughter.
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Margaret and Arthur enjoyed their time at the lake, “running around” with friends,
gardening and camping. They were constantly busy with new projects, often repurposing
something that may have been thrown out into something new. They supported their
only son, Terry E. Shoemaker in his adventures as an Eagle Scout and running track.
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After Terry married Lois J. Jacobson, the two entered the Peace Corps, serving in
Ethiopia. Margaret spoke fondly of when she and Arthur hosted Ammanuel Mehreteab
who arrived from Ethiopia to attend Central College in Pella, IA. Ammanuel had been
a student of Terry’s during he and Lois’ time in the Peace Corps, and they had arranged
this informal cultural exchange. Margaret was both honored and proud of her experience
hosting Ammanuel. The Mehreteab and Shoemaker families continue to have close ties.
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In 1972 Margaret and Arthur moved to Longmont, CO to be near Terry, his wife Lois,
and their children Christine A. Shoemaker and Sonja J. Peake. She was profoundly
saddened by Terry’s death at the age of 36. She was always grateful for the relationships
she continued with Lois, Christy and Sonja after his death.
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Margaret was active in her community throughout her life. Here in Longmont she volunteered
many places including the OUR center, Senior Center, Columbine Elementary, and Spangler
Elementary. She was involved in the Lady Lions Club, Double Twenties, Good Sam and
Rocky Rockers camping clubs, Methodist Women, Tumbleweeds travel group, and at First
United Methodist Church. Margaret enjoyed crocheting, many different crafts, oil
painting, gardening, playing cards, camping and travel.
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She loved spending time with immediate and extended family and visiting with friends.
She looked forward to Wednesday lunch at McDonald’s with friends for many years.
She had a wonderful sense of humor and was known to write down favorite jokes she
wanted to remember.