Posted: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 12:00 am
March 7, 1934 n Aug. 29, 2008
Margaret Ethel Nutt passed away serenely in her sleep on Aug. 29 at the age of 74 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Margaret was born to John Peter Serres and Matilda Maye Lynch Serres in Oregon City, on March 7, 1934. She was raised in Oregon City, graduating from Oregon City High School in 1952.
While in high school, she met her sweetheart, Earl Franklin Nutt. They were married on May 12, 1953, the third anniversary of their first date. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2008. Shortly after their marriage, Margaret and Earl moved to Corvallis, where they have resided for 55 years, with the exception of a brief period in Hebo.
Margaret was a beloved mother who actively participated in all events surrounding the raising of their five children. Once her children were well established in school, she began working at Walker's Green House, as gardening was a passion passed to her by her father, John Serres. In 1975, she began a career with the Forest Service at the Beaver Creek Seed Orchard. Once the Seed Orchard was shut down she moved to the Siuslaw National Forest Headquarters and retired after a 20 year career in 1995. During this time she was honored with receiving the "1,000 Points of Light" award for outstanding service by then-President George Bush. She was a member of the Benton County Election Board, which she served proudly on for 42 years. She participated in the decorating of the Benton County Courthouse during the Christmas holiday season. Her personal delights were her children and grandchildren and attending their various activities, traveling with family members to visit relatives throughout the country, and the Alaskan cruise taken with Earl. She was an avid Beaver fan, attending most football and baseball games and gymnastics and wrestling matches. Margaret particularly enjoyed attending the baseball games with Earl, and in December of 2007 she accompanied her daughter Linda to the Emerald Bowl.
Margaret was a member of the Lebanon Doll Club and had an extensive collection of Madame Alexander dolls, which she recently distributed to the ladies of the Doll Club.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Earl; and their five children, Linda Johnson and her son Scott; Randall and Carleen Nutt; Colleen and Ross Summers and their children Caitlin and Garth; Susan and Tom VanderPlaat and their children Molly, Megan and Marisa; Jim and Lisa Nutt and their children Christopher, Shaun and Cody.
Margaret was one of six children. Her surviving siblings are Mary Ruminski, Maureen Serres, Tom Serres and Tim Serres; and her great-aunt, Rita Randall. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert John Serres.
The family requests donations be made to Benton Hospice Service, Good Samaritan Home Health Care, the ALS Association of Oregon or the Shiners' Hospital.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at McHenry Funeral Home.
Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, followed by a Celebration of Christian Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 501 N.W. 25th St., Corvallis, Oregon.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McHenry Funeral Home.