Margaret May Melugin passed away after an incredible life of over 95 years. She was a resident of the Lasting Legacy Assisted Living in Billings where she received amazing love and compassion as her body became overcome from congestive heart failure throughout the last year.
Margaret was born on December 10, 1920 in Helena, Montana to John and Katherine Kracher. She married her best friend Ben “Ted” Melugin on September 17, 1944 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They were married for over 63 years before he passed away in 2008. The legacy and example that Margaret and Ben “Ted” brought to anyone they met was that of love, respect and friendship. They were lifelong parishioners at the St. Helena Cathedral, avid golfers, enjoyed camping, fishing, going on family vacations with their travel trailer and spending time with their family and friends. You wouldn’t see the two of them separated very often because of their genuine desire to just be together.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katherine Kracher of Helena; her husband Ben “Ted”. She is survived by sons Michael (Erin) of Polson, Jeff (Lucy) of Billings; five grandchildren, Trevor (Clare) of Missoula, Tami of Missoula, Kyle (Joy) of Billings, Tyler (Katie) of Henderson, NV, Kayla (Ryan) Weigler of Riverton, WY; three great-grandchildren, Michael and Anna of Missoula, Theodore of Billings.
A Funeral Liturgy is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the Liturgy in the Banquet Hall of the Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery following the reception.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Margaret.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Wednesday January 20, 2016
banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Wednesday January 20, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday January 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Wednesday January 20, 2016
banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Wednesday January 20, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Kyle Melugin (grandson) says
As a child, I was blessed to spend at least one week every summer with my grandparents. While my grandpa was a master at cards, my grandma was a master at cooking and taking care of us when we there. I remember so many wonderful dinners and traditions that were developed in her home. There was always a ham or pork roast in the oven it seemed. From her mother, grandma carried on some of the wonderful German food traditions. Our favorite family recipe is Holipse and we’ve begun to keep this cooking tradition alive in our family. 4 years ago, I started the urge to have an Oktoberfest party. The first year, I asked her to help me make the Holipse. When I showed up to learn, it was already in a casserole dish waiting for me. I told grandma I wanted to learn how she made it. So the next year, I instead showed up with all of the ingredients and she noted the recipe and steps with me. I’ve since passed the recipe on and have taken great pleasure in being able to cook this dish whenever we have Christmas dinner or when the occasion arises to use it. I also have a love for fried chicken since we’d often go to Van’s IGA to get chicken as well as cherries. I remember bringing home 1 pound sometime during those visits and just eating them. I also remember the many times we would watch game shows together in the mornings. Celebrity Squares, Price is Right, Concentration, and Press Your Luck were some of our favorites. I will be forever grateful for the love that she showed me. That same love for taking care of family and developing family tradition has begun to blossom since my wife and I started our own family. We’re all thankful that grandma finally has had her prayer answer to go home and be happy.
Bob and Shirley Abbey says
We are thinking of you all during this time. We remember all the good times we had in Helena with Margaret and Ted and we especially remember all those tasty meals in their basement.
Love to all,
Bob and Shirley Abbey
Martin and Linda Holly