Margaret Coulter

Margaret Coulter, 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, joined the angels early Thursday morning. Margaret was surrounded by her family; husband Neal, son Curt (Sandy), daughters Connie Sills and Cathy Maher all of Charlo, Mary Pat (Rick) Leishman of Spokane, Wash., Colleen Coulter (Jim) of Helena, and Chris (Bryan) Hurd of Kalispell. Margaret was born in Circle, Mont. on Sept. 13 1923, to parents Norris and Polly Boice. The family moved to Montana. She attended several schools in the valley, including St. Matthews High School in Kalispell. Her family settled Valley View and graduated from Polson High School in 1941. She met Neal Coulter at age 15 and they would meet at grange hall dances whenever possible. Her Grandmother Tracey always made sure Margaret was never late for a date with Neal, stating “he was a keeper”. Following graduation Margaret and her sisters Ethel and Flossie headed to Seattle to work at the Boeing plant during WWII. She was very proud of her contribution to the war effort. After coming home to Montana, Margaret married the love of her life Neal Coulter on June 14, 1943. They began their life together in Charlo. They soon began their life of farming and raising a family of six children. Marg cooked many a meal for the hired-hands and always raised a HUGE garden. After the sale of the ranch, Marg was able to spend hours planning her new gardens, ordering seeds, and digging in the dirt. Many have enjoyed her blooms throughout the summer on highway 212. Margaret enjoyed her family and her Church. She had the great ability to make all who entered her home feel welcome. Marg was a founding member of the Mission View Garden Club and remained active until recently. She was a member of the Charlo Women’s Club. In 2003, Marg and Neal were honored as Grand Marshals of the Charlo 4th of July parade. She was active in the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Altar Society. Margaret is preceded by her parents, Norris and Polly (Tracey) Boice, sisters Ethel Lund and Florence Schmitz, brother Frank Boice, and great grandson Dillon Lipscomb. Margaret leaves behind her husband of 69 years Neal, her six children, 18 grandchildren, 35 great grand children and eight great-great grandchildren. Rosary was held Tuesday, Dec. 18 in Charlo at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Funeral mass followed. Dinner was served at the Charlo community Center following service.