Margaret May Loewen Overcast

Margaret May Loewen Overcast passed from this life and slipped quietly into the presence of God on March 28, 2011. She succumbed to congestive heart failure which had plagued her for many years.

She was born June 30, 1924, in Chinook, Mont., and was 86 years old at the time of her death.

Margaret was the third child of Jessie Peters Loewen and Frank F. Loewen. Her family lived in Chinook where the children attended school. Margaret graduated from Chinook High School in 1942.

On March 21, 1943, she was married to Dow Overcast, the love of her life. Dow and Margaret were high school sweethearts and spent their entire lives raising their family in the Paradise Valley east of Chinook. They were engaged in farming, ranching, and the aerial spraying business.

Dow and Margaret celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary with a wonderful get-together of family, friends and the dedicated staff at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home just a week preceding her death.

She was a devoted wife and loving mother to their four children. As a young woman, she was an accomplished seamstress and a gifted gardener, always having a coop full of chickens that she tended to help support her growing family. Although she was raised a "town girl, " she quickly learned to love her new life in the country. Margaret felt blessed to live on the same farm with her mother-in-law, Karleen Overcast, with whom she quickly formed a strong and lasting bond. Under "Granny's" wise tutelage, she soon became proficient at cooking for large crews of men and providing her family with the fresh homegrown produce and hugs they needed.

Margaret always had a song in her heart, and her old Bible was ragged and worn from many years of study. She was an outstanding example to her children and grandchildren, demonstrating to them how a woman of faith lives her life. Her prayers will be a sustaining force for generations to come.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Dow of Chinook;, and their four children; Ken (Dawn) of Chinook, Kathryn (R. J. Reid) of Bozeman, Frank (Marcia) of Chinook, and John (Memory) of Cut Bank. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews, as well as two sisters; Alice Jean Dyke and Francis Loewen of Bellingham, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Jessie; a brother, John Loewen; and a sister, Irene Hallingstad.

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held Friday, April 1, at 11 a. m., at the Chinook Alliance Church.

Should you choose to send a memorial, please consider the Chinook Alliance Church, or a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.

She was a praying, devoted Christian lady and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.