Marguerite "Peggy" Rehm

LIFESTORY:

Beauty is everywhere and if you choose to look for it, like Peggy Rehm did, then you will realize that God has provided us all with a wonderful and marvelous world. Peggy cherished the feminine beauty of flowers, the sweet sound of music, the magnificent power of knowledge and the deep love of family.

Peggy's life began in Decatur, Indiana on February 15, 1920. Her father, James K. Staley had returned from serving in the Great War (World War I) and was becoming established as a dairy businessman. Her mother, Nellie W. (Daniels) Staley, who worked as an RN, was overjoyed with Peggy's arrival. A little while later, Peggy's younger brother, Roger was born and the family was complete.

Growing up in the small town of Decatur, Indiana left Peggy with lots of free time on her hands. She would often help out with the dairy business and still have plenty of time left over for homework and recreational reading. Reading was a life long hobby of Peggy's and that was probably why she grew up to be such an intelligent woman with such common sense. In 1937 Peggy's reading paid off when she became the Spelling Bee Champion for Adams County. She was a successful graduate of Decatur High School and in her early twenties she was convinced to go on a blind date with a young man known as "Slim" and "Butch." She showed up in a beautiful yellow outfit, not knowing it was his favorite color, and her beauty took his breath away. He had no choice but to marry the breath taking beauty, and on March 31, 1945, Peggy and Slim, formally known as Adolph C. Rehm were joined in marriage.

Slim was a tool and tie man and the couple moved around for awhile before he found a secure position with Clark Equipment from where he later retired. Together they raised four delightful children. Steven, their first born, arrived in 1946, "Kit" joined the family in 1949 followed by Wendy in 1955 and then Jerry who was born in 1962. The family suffered a huge loss in 1983 when Jerry passed away at the young age of 20.

While the children were growing up, Peggy was an amazing homemaker. She never seemed to stop moving, whether she was sewing dresses for Wendy or her dolls, cooking delicious meals on a very tight budget, caring for the family dog, staying on top of what the kids were up to or finding time to fish with her husband. She was a queen multitasker. As a child, she had attended a Lutheran church and later Portage Prairie United Methodist Church in Niles. She grew very strong in her faith and her commitment to church continued in her own family as they became involved in their local United Methodist Church. Slim took time to help the church as well and he built lots of church furniture using his master carpentry skills. He also helped get the Boy Scout troops running across the Midwest.

When the children were older, Peggy stayed busy working in the office at the Niles YMCA. She was able to drive herself, because she got her drivers license the same year her daughter Wendy did. Later she was hired on in the office of Dr. L.W. Blank in Niles, where she worked until retirement. During retirement, Peggy found time to volunteer at the coffee shop in the Niles hospital. As Grandma to Brian, Erin and Megan and Great Grandma to Ethan, Audrey and Lucy, Peggy was a tender caregiver. She was always dressed in beautiful clothes, listened to pleasing music, knitted and made Thanksgiving Day gravy with her granddaughters.

Slim and Peggy were both members of South Bend Power Squadron. Slim was a huge fisherman and Peggy held her own in the First Mates. They spent many weekends fishing off their Boston Whaler boat. They took family trips down south and out west a few times and as a couple they went out to Canada to fish. Sadly, on June 4, 2001, Peggy lost Slim to diabetes complications.

She pressed on, living at Brentwood in Niles and finally Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, making new friends, staying connected to family and trying to keep busy; but she always felt the loss of her beloved husband. Peggy usually knew everyone and she enjoyed serving as a volunteer in the gift shop and being a member of the Knitting Club.

Peggy didn't live an easy life, but she always chose to be happy and positive. She never complained and didn't want to be a burden, but she did say that "growing old is not for the weak kneed."

Marguerite "Peggy" Rehm was a loving and giving mother, wife, sister and friend. She was kind and inviting to everyone and she left footprints on our hearts that will never be forgotten. Peggy will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Marguerite "Peggy" Rehm, age 86, died October 26, 2006 at Friendship Village. Learn more about Peggy, view her Life Story Film and visit with her family and friends Monday from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 375-2900 where services will take place Tuesday 10:00 AM. Interment of cremated remains will take place at Mt. EverRest Cemetery followed by food and fellowship at the Life Story Center. She was preceded in death by husband A.C. "Slim" Rehm in 2001, a son Jerry Rehm in 1983, step-mother Hilda Staley, step-brother Kenneth Gaunt, step sister Peggy Hartough (Barney), brother in law Norbert Rehm, and by sister in law Ruth Harrold (Virgil). Surviving are three children: Steven (Wendy) Rehm of Parker, CO; Kit (Kathy) Rehm of Norcross, GA; Wendy (Dennis) Comar of Portage; three grandchildren: Brian Rehm, Erin (Brian) Smith; Megan (Jeremy) Watson; three great grandchildren: Ethan, Lucy and Audrey Smith; brother, Roger (Norma) Staley of Las Vegas, NV; aunt Mable Murray of Decatur, IN; nephew David (Patty) Mueller of Indianapolis, IN; three sister in laws: Margaret Eckhart, Julie Rehm and Barbara Gaunt and many loved nieces, nephews, dear friends and neighbors. To read Peggy's complete life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donations the Children's Heart Foundation or Portage Prairie United Methodist Church, please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.