Margaret Mollenhour

Born Feb. 1, 1928, in Caruthersville, Mo., to Harry and Lissie Ridgley, Margaret Nell Ridgley Mollenhour passed away in her home Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006.

She is survived by a sister, Grace Nasci of Reno, Nev.; three children and spouses, Bill and Angie Mollenhour of Harrisonville, Mo., Ann Miller-Pack and Rick Pack of Lees Summit, Mo., Janet and Larry Minkler of Shawnee, Kan. As a legacy she leaves six beautiful granddaughters, Gretchen, Margaret Allison and Kimmie Mollenhour, Mackenzie Miller, Amanda and Alexis Minkler.

Margaret "Monk" attended Southeast Missouri State University, majoring in vocal music. She auditioned, was accepted, but turned down a career in opera to stay close to her family.

"Eloping" Dec. 2, 1947, with her mother, brother and sister-in-law, she wed Frank Mollenhour.

They moved to and lived in Cape Girardeau where they started their family, having three children. Margaret "Monie" was very active in First Presbyterian Church and Beta Sigma Phi.

After moving to Columbia, Mo., she became active in Cub Scouts and was a founding member of Second Presbyterian Church of Columbia. She and Frank made their next home in Kansas City, Mo., in 1959. Colonial Presbyterian and Ruskin Heights Presbyterian churches were the next recipients of her golden voice and endless energy. She actively participated in her son's Cub Scout pack and was troop leader for both of her daughters' Girl Scout troops.

She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and season ticket holder, rarely missing a game from 1968 to 2000.

In 1972 she moved to her final hometown of Blue Springs, Mo., where she was an active member of Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church before transferring to First Presbyterian Church of Lees Summit. Frank and Margaret were both elders of the church and skippers in Presbyterian Mariners, holding offices at the state and regional level.

Many knew her as the "matriarch of State Farm Insurance in Kansas City," where Frank was a claims manager 32 years. To the end she volunteered at her church and weekly filled the sanctuary with her voice.

Her life revolved around her family, dearly loving her children and precious grandchildren. "Dearer than our children are the children of our children." Mom-Maw's light-hearted spirit and stern direction will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We mourn her loss but celebrate her life.

Friends may call at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Mo., from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Lees Summit.

Flowers or donations may be made to her church for the Margaret Mollenhour Memorial Vocal Music Fund.