Cloudy, 27° F
(Jan. 4, 2007)
Margaret Elizabeth Bizek Coombs died Thursday, Jan. 4 at Billings Clinic, surrounded by family.
She was born in Athabaska, Alberta, Canada to Adolph and Euphemia Bizek on Aug. 19, 1920. She married William (Bill) Coombs, Jr Oct. 28, 1949 in Athabaska, Alberta, Canada.
Margaret left the farm in Athabaska and moved to Edmonton to obtain her teaching degree at a normal school. She held a job as a telemarketer while going to school. After receiving her teaching certificate, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She met her future husband at a dance, married and moved to the States.
They lived in Billings before moving to Shepherd, Mont. With six to feed, she grew a huge garden and canned the produce. Margaret worked at Rocky Mountain College as a cook and the later at Shepherd as a cook and also sold Avon. After moving to Powell, she kept up her love for gardening with small plots and really got involved in flower gardening. She loved to grow things. Margaret enjoyed snowmobiling and camping. During the years, they owned several businesses in Powell.
Margaret and Bill were active in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Past Matron, served as Grand Representative to South Carolina and held most chapter offices.
Survivors include her children, Bob (Eddie) Coombs of Shepherd Mont., Jan (Terry) Byrd of Billings, Mont., Ray (Karen) Coombs of Powell and Patty (Scott) Branstetter of Laurel, Mont.; grandchildren, Wendy Samsel, Toni (Dan) Brady, Zack (Diana) Coombs, Joe (Rachel) Coombs, Becky Coombs, David (Michael) Coombs, Travis Byrd and Krystal and Nicole Branstetter; great-granchildren, Haylie and Summer Samsel, Baby Gracie and Mason Coombs and Taylor (Charlie) Brady; a brother, Dave (Lorene) Bizek; sister-in-law, Irene Johnson; and several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill; brothers Jim and Art; and sister Effie.
Services will be Friday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. in Powell at Thompson Funeral Home.
