Obituary: Margaret Rose Seimears, 85

Margaret Rose Seimears, 85, of Wrangell passed away on June 30, 2013.

Margaret was born June 1, 1928 in Wrangell to Ruth Sylvester Ritchie and Allan V. Ritchie. She was the oldest of three children including Allan V. Ritchie, Jr. and Judith Ann Ritchie.

Margaret grew up in Wrangell and graduated in 1946 from Wrangell High School in a class of six, she was the Salutatorian.

Margaret met the love of her life Robert (Bob) L. Seimears in Wrangell at the Den O’Sweets. She was 16 and working for her Aunt Elsie and Uncle James Nolan. Bob, 15, was working on a fish packer and had just arrived from Seattle. When the fishing season closed Bob returned to his Seattle based job. Their romance continued long-distance, but not for long, as Margaret soon joined Bob in Seattle. She arrived on a Princess Cruise ship in 1948.

Margaret and Bob were married November 27, 1948 in Index, Wash. They had three children; daughter Gail and sons Robert and Mark. They resided in Washington and Wrangell for several years. In 1960 they packed up their station wagon, with kids and a cat and headed north to Alaska.

They drove the Alaska and Cassiar mud roads to Telegraph Creek, B.C. where they met Margaret’s father, A.V. Ritchie, and traveled to Wrangell on his riverboat the “Judith Ann.” They were home to stay.

Margaret and Bob built two beautiful homes. The first home was where they raised their family and lived until retirement. Their second home was Margaret’s Aunt May Gartley’s house. It was old and in need of restoring. They took on the huge renovation and it became their project home to enjoy and welcome family and friends.

Margaret worked at Den O’Sweets, Ritchie Transportation, Stikine Transportation and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Wrangell.

Margaret was a member of the Episcopal Church, Emblem Club and Pioneers. She had many hobbies and was especially creative. She made ceramics, paintings and loved to sew and quilt. Margaret liked to garden and sport fish and was a team bowler and loyal Mariners fan.

Twice a year she and Bob traveled in their getaway van on the Alaska Ferry and drove from Prince Rupert, B.C. visiting their family, friends and Reno, NV.

Margaret was preceded in death by her son Robert A. Seimears; her grandson Brett A. Seimears; and brother Allan V. Ritchie.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert L. Seimears; daughter, Gail Ottesen (Mike); son, Mark Seimears; sister, Judith A. Ritchie-Tolan; daughter-in-law, Nancy Seimears; grandsons, Jon and Jeff Abrahamson; Trevis (Celeste) Seimears; Casey (Heather) Seimears and Cooper Seimears; granddaughters, Erika (Brandon) Marchefka and Carly Rose Seimears; great grandchildren, Madison, Sydney, Brett, Charlee, Kael and Braelyn; nieces, Susan Ritchie and Brenna Musser; nephews, Marc and Troy Tolan; friend Kathy Dow and many other relatives.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.