Peggy Lou Mahler

Peggy Lou Mahler, 76, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, in the United Methodist Church, 711 Main Street, Sandpoint, Idaho (child care will be provided). Interment will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery on South Division. A luncheon, at the United Methodist Church, will follow the graveside service. Viewing hours will be on Friday, Nov. 20, from noon until 6 p.m. at Coffelt Funeral Service. Peggy Lou MacDonald was born to Alvin and Nina MacDonald on Sept. 15, 1933, in Missoula, Mont. After one year Peggy and her family returned to Spokane, Wash., where Peggy lived until she was 10 years old. Peggy became involved in the performing arts. With an early history of dance she expanded her artistic endeavors to the world of music including singing and the playing of the piano. Her family then moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where her father and mother owned and operated Bonners Ferry Implements. He older brother James (Jim) MacDonald of Bayview is her only surviving sibling. While a sophomore at Bonners Ferry High School Peggy met her future husband Lee Mahler. Peggy’s parents purchased Hudson Bay Resort in 1951, still to this day in the MacDonald family, and moved to Bayview, Idaho. She attended her senior year and graduated from Spirit Lake High School. Peggy and Lee became engaged after Peggy turned 18 years old, and Lee served our country in the United States Navy. She later became the secretary for the United Methodist Church where she retired after 15 years. Peggy and Lee were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at the First Lutheran Church on Sept. 20 1953. Peggy and Lee had three children, Dianna, Carol, and Alan. Peggy was very active in the United Methodist Church. She gave much back to her community through her involvement with P.T.A, P.E.O., Eastern Star (Job’s Daughters), Girl Scouts, and other organizations. Her hobbies included sewing, vegetable and flower gardening, and playing cards, cribbage with her family and bridge with her friends. In recent years Peggy was honored by being chosen as a Woman of Wisdom, an award she cherished. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; mother and father, Alvin and Nina MacDonald; brother, Robert Dean MacDonald; sister, Nettie (Honey) King; and daughter, Carol Mahler Gutierrez. She is survived by her brother, James MacDonald of Bayview; daughter, Dianna (Darold) Sauer in Coeur d’Alene; son, Alan (Aida) Mahler of Sandpoint; and six grandchildren, Nicole Skalak, Ryan Mahler, Cody Andrews, Blake Mahler, Jordan and Jarred Sauer. Five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Peggy was loved by many and will be missed dearly. Donations can be made in Peggy’s honor to PEO, Sandpoint Lions and United Methodist Church.