Margaret Katharine (Merklein) Jackson was born October 11, 1920 to Charles F. and Margaret (Miller) Merklein and passed away March 23, 2014 at the age of 93.

She became a child of God in Holy Baptism on Nov. 9, 1920 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, KS. On June 24, 1934 she reaffirmed her faith at her confirmation at Emmanuel. She attended Highland Rural Grade School and grew to adulthood on the farm west of Phillipsburg.

On November 27, 1946, Margaret married Harold Jackson at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. To this union one son, Allan, was born.

Margaret was a life-long member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and enjoyed going to the quilting days for sewing and fellowship as long as her health allowed. She enjoyed life on the farm southwest of Phillipsburg, working hard to provide her family with all they needed. Her most precious memories were made when her two granddaughters stayed with Grandma and Grandpa at the farm when they were younger. Special times remembered by Tina and Staci included taking full course meals to the harvest field; long walks to the mailbox, through the pasture or to Wilma's house; making sock monkeys, building blanket forts in the living room and just making life fun in general. Margaret loved to grow vegetables and flowers, raise chickens, sewing and crocheting and she baked the best apple pie and angel food cake in the country. She also had a special gift of playing the piano by ear and shared this talent for others to enjoy her music for many years.

After Harold suffered a stroke, she moved to Phillipsburg to be closer to family and lived there until her health required her to move to the retirement home.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Harold; her parents; her sisters – Anna Dahlke, Alwina Kellerman, Thelma Wagner, Lillie Meyer, Selma Zillinger; her brothers – Edward, John, George and Carl.

Survivors include her son, Allan, and wife, Mary; granddaughters – Tina and husband, Josh McMannis, and Staci and husband, Ryan Manning; great-grandchildren – Reilly, Robyn and Ryann Manning and Lane and Faith McMannis; brother-in-law – James Jackson and wife, Wilma; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 28, at 2:00 p.m. in the EmmanuelEvangelicalLutheranChurch, Stuttgart, with Pastor Lorna Paulus officiating. Burial will follow in the FairviewCemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with the family greeting friends Thursday evening from 7 – 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the EmmanuelEvangelicalLutheranChurch or the PhillipsCountyRetirementCenter.