Margaret Blair

Margaret (Aikin) Blair, 94, of Macksburg, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines.

Margaret was born Sept. 16, 1930, to Ray and Edna (Trester) Aikin at her grandmother Trester’s home in Winterset. She graduated from Macksburg High School where she met Charles who reportedly often dropped by with candy bars for her after he graduated to keep an eye on her (and perhaps the competition). The summer after graduation she worked for Farmers Insurance Group in Des Moines, until her marriage to Charles on Sept. 19, 1948.

Margaret lived her entire life in Madison County. She served actively in many roles within her church, was a 4-H leader, a member of the Madison County Extension Council, the Madison Country E911 Road Naming Committee and Grand River Township Election Board. Additionally, Margaret served as Grand River Township Cemetery Clerk, Macksburg City Clerk, U.S. Agriculture Census Taker and for 18 years, was the Orient-Macksburg Elementary School secretary.

Margaret was a decades-long member of the Needle Craft Club, a quilting enthusiast and loved caring for their Century Farm home. She and Charles enjoyed their weekend camping trips with the Covered Bridges Camping Club as well as many other travel adventures with friends and family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents, Ray and Edna Aikin as well as her siblings, Corinne, Florence, Russell, Robert, and Keith.

Margaret is survived by her son, Rick (Vicky); daughter, Chris (Paul); granddaughters, Lynette (David), Angela (Justin) and Jennifer (Mike) along with great-grandchildren, Ava and Jim. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Ora Austin, Alice Brown and Shirley Bittengeras; many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at the Macksburg United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends during a luncheon at the church hall following the service. A private burial will be held in the Moon Cemetery, rural Macksburg.

Memorials can be made to the family or to the Macksburg United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.