1929
Margie
2012
Margie Mae Jackson
March 25, 1929 — November 26, 2012
Margie Mae McGovern Jackson, 83, of Cut Bank, died of heart failure Monday, Nov. 26, at Peace Hospice. Visitation is Friday from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm at the Whitted Funeral Chapel, with a Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. The funeral mass is noon Saturday at the church with burial to follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Margie was born on Mar. 25, 1929 in Browning to James and Ida (Damon) McGovern, the 6th of 9 children. The family moved to Missoula where she attended grade school. The family moved to Cut Bank in time for her to start high school, graduating in 1947. In 1944 she met the love of her life, Gus (Sonny) Jackson at a service dance on Seville Flats while he was on leave. Gus and Margie got to know each other through writing hundreds of letters. They married Sept. 10, 1948. Margie worked for C.E. Frisbee Title Company until the kids came along, then going back off and on as the kids grew. Because of her outstanding work ethic, C.E. always welcomed her back when she was ready to return. In 1970, Ann Pendergrass, the Glacier County Clerk of Court, asked Margie to be her deputy. When Ann retired in 1972, Margie ran for the County Clerk of Court, and was elected. She retired in 1988 after serving 3 terms.
Margie was full of energy and could outwork anyone. Even caring for Gus and their three children was not enough to keep her busy. She was an accomplished seamstress making many of her children's outfits. She cut everyone’s hair. When the children were young, a week was set aside every summer to be spent in a cabin at Lake 5 or at campgrounds in Glacier National Park. The family traveled to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Arizona desert, Seattle World's Fair, Yellowstone Park, and various theme parks and ghost towns throughout the Northwest. Margie loved to fish and camp and started a McGovern family campout that occurred every other summer. The big family usually took over entire campgrounds. Margie loved to talk and laugh with people. For decades, she was very active in the St. Margaret’s Ladies Guild, her Miracle Whip bowling team and her pinochle card club. After retiring Margie and Gus traveled. They bought a timeshare and spent two weeks a year in different cities in almost every state and in Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Ireland, and England. They bought an RV and spent their winters in Arizona. In 1991 they began building a summer cabin on lower St. Mary Lake. Gus helped Alvin Ladd peel and set logs while Margie directed. Once the log shell was built, Gus and Margie finished the inside with very minimal outside help. They spent every summer of their last years there with their children and grandchildren. Margie’s annual 4th of July party was the highlight of every summer.
Margie is survived by daughters Natalie Jackson of St. Mary and Great Falls, Nadine Akkerman of Great Falls; brothers Tom McGovern, Butte, and James McGovern, Cut Bank; grandchildren - Erik, Jon, and Kevyn Larson, Missoula; Nate Larson, Amy and Kalled Jaha, and Jesse Dubray, Great Falls; Terry Akkerman, Buhl ID; Christian Akkerman, Sheridan, WY; Jeremiah Jackson, Cut Bank; great-grandchildren - Steven Akkerman, Sweet Home, OR; Christian Akkerman, Bozeman; Mashyla and Chaeton Main, Great Falls; and Kalled Jaha II, Havre. Margie was preceded in death by her husband Gus in June 2012; her parents; sisters, Dorothy Ruhl, Lorraine Juhnke, June Cyr, and Ruth Sharone; brothers, John and Duane McGovern; son, David N. Jackson; grandson, David G. Jackson; and great-grandson, Kaden McCowen.
Margie's life and love of her family and friends has left an indelible mark that will always be cherished and remembered by all that were fortunate enough to cross her path.
Margie was born on Mar. 25, 1929 in Browning to James and Ida (Damon) McGovern, the 6th of 9 children. The family moved to Missoula where she attended grade school. The family moved to Cut Bank in time for her to start high school, graduating in 1947. In 1944 she met the love of her life, Gus (Sonny) Jackson at a service dance on Seville Flats while he was on leave. Gus and Margie got to know each other through writing hundreds of letters. They married Sept. 10, 1948. Margie worked for C.E. Frisbee Title Company until the kids came along, then going back off and on as the kids grew. Because of her outstanding work ethic, C.E. always welcomed her back when she was ready to return. In 1970, Ann Pendergrass, the Glacier County Clerk of Court, asked Margie to be her deputy. When Ann retired in 1972, Margie ran for the County Clerk of Court, and was elected. She retired in 1988 after serving 3 terms.
Margie was full of energy and could outwork anyone. Even caring for Gus and their three children was not enough to keep her busy. She was an accomplished seamstress making many of her children's outfits. She cut everyone’s hair. When the children were young, a week was set aside every summer to be spent in a cabin at Lake 5 or at campgrounds in Glacier National Park. The family traveled to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, San Diego Zoo, Arizona desert, Seattle World's Fair, Yellowstone Park, and various theme parks and ghost towns throughout the Northwest. Margie loved to fish and camp and started a McGovern family campout that occurred every other summer. The big family usually took over entire campgrounds. Margie loved to talk and laugh with people. For decades, she was very active in the St. Margaret’s Ladies Guild, her Miracle Whip bowling team and her pinochle card club. After retiring Margie and Gus traveled. They bought a timeshare and spent two weeks a year in different cities in almost every state and in Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Ireland, and England. They bought an RV and spent their winters in Arizona. In 1991 they began building a summer cabin on lower St. Mary Lake. Gus helped Alvin Ladd peel and set logs while Margie directed. Once the log shell was built, Gus and Margie finished the inside with very minimal outside help. They spent every summer of their last years there with their children and grandchildren. Margie’s annual 4th of July party was the highlight of every summer.
Margie is survived by daughters Natalie Jackson of St. Mary and Great Falls, Nadine Akkerman of Great Falls; brothers Tom McGovern, Butte, and James McGovern, Cut Bank; grandchildren - Erik, Jon, and Kevyn Larson, Missoula; Nate Larson, Amy and Kalled Jaha, and Jesse Dubray, Great Falls; Terry Akkerman, Buhl ID; Christian Akkerman, Sheridan, WY; Jeremiah Jackson, Cut Bank; great-grandchildren - Steven Akkerman, Sweet Home, OR; Christian Akkerman, Bozeman; Mashyla and Chaeton Main, Great Falls; and Kalled Jaha II, Havre. Margie was preceded in death by her husband Gus in June 2012; her parents; sisters, Dorothy Ruhl, Lorraine Juhnke, June Cyr, and Ruth Sharone; brothers, John and Duane McGovern; son, David N. Jackson; grandson, David G. Jackson; and great-grandson, Kaden McCowen.
Margie's life and love of her family and friends has left an indelible mark that will always be cherished and remembered by all that were fortunate enough to cross her path.
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