Margaret "Peggy" Ellison passed away peacefully at the age of 82, surrounded by the family she cherished above all else. Born and raised in a small farming community, Peggy carried the values of hard work and hospitality with her throughout her life, welcoming neighbors and strangers alike into her home with a fresh pot of coffee and an open ear.

For over three decades, Peggy taught second grade at Lincoln Elementary, where she was known for her endless patience and her knack for making even the most reluctant reader fall in love with books. Former students often returned years later just to tell her how much her encouragement had meant to them, and she kept every thank-you card she ever received in a cedar box by her bed.

Outside the classroom, Peggy was an avid quilter and a fixture at the community garden, where she grew tomatoes she was fiercely, good-naturedly competitive about. She loved Sunday dinners, big band music, and telling the same three jokes at every family gathering — jokes her grandchildren pretended to hear for the first time, every single time.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 58 years, three children, seven grandchildren, and a community that is better for having known her. She will be remembered for her gentle strength, her generous spirit, and the quiet way she made everyone around her feel like they mattered.