Margaret Ann Stigers, age 74, passed away on June 4, 2020. Margaret was born to Ray Wyman Comfort and Elsie Lee (Watson) Comfort in Bentonville, Arkansas, the eighth of eight siblings. She graduated from Bentonville High School in 1963. She then attended the University of Arkansas where she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and met Charles A. Stigers. Charles and Margaret married on August 10, 1965. Margaret taught in the Bentonville school system until Charles’ career moved them first to Kansas, and then to Montana, eventually settling in Butte.
While living in Butte, Margaret pursued many interests. She owned and operated The Learning Center, a teacher’s supply store from 1984-1993. She volunteered with many different organizations, including the PTA, her church, singing in various community choirs, the Butte Symphony, and the New Hope Clinic. She will be sorely missed by many friends and colleagues of these organizations.
Margaret passed away peacefully after a long struggle with various medical conditions. Her husband and children, Chris Stigers and Kimberly (Stigers) Lavoie, were at her side. She is survived by her husband and children, her daughter-in-law Valeta (Bell) Stigers, her son-in-law Robert Lavoie, and five grandchildren: Abigail Stigers, Lillian Stigers, Jeanette Lavoie, C.J. Lavoie, and Lisette Lavoie.
A memorial service will be held at her home church, Floral Park Baptist Church, in Butte, Montana at a date to be determined. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the following organizations: The PKD Foundation (PKDcure.org), The New Hope Clinic (newhopebutte.com), or Gideons International (gideons.org).
Arrangements are pending at this time. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share of memory of Margaret. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Margaret and her family.
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Deirdre Caughlan says
Charles
I am so sorry about Margaret. She was a kind, compassionate woman who made a big imprint on me. She will be missed. We will pray for you both!
Deirdre Caughlan
Sandra & Eric David says
Charles and family – We are so sorry to hear of Margaret’s passing. We are holding you close to our hearts. – Sandra and Eric
Georgia Heaphy says
Chuck, I’m so sad for you and your family and I’m sending love and condolences to you and your children. Margaret was a real trooper and a lovely lady. I’m happy to have known her.
Georgia Heaphy
Butch Gerbrandt says
Chuck,
Gretchen and I are thinking of you and your loss. Blessings to you and your family.
Butch and Gretchen
Laura Wallace says
I was so very blessed to have known Margaret. It was a pleasure singing with her all those years. May God comfort you Chuck and family.
Colleen Schulte says
So sorry for your loss. Margaret was an amazing woman and the love of your life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike and Colleen Schulte
Bill Hyslop says
So sorry to hear of the passing of Margaret. Thinking of you with sympathy.
Bill and Eileen Hyslop
Carla Zugel says
Sending Love and Comforting Prayers!!! She was a beautiful and kind person who I was blessed to have known.
Yvonne Snell says
Charles, Kim, Chris, and Grandchildren,
We are so sorry for your loss. Margaret was a dear friend during our years in Butte. She made a huge impact on our lives and the lives of our children. Margaret was a beautiful example of the love of Christ. She made this world a better place. God bless you and bring you comfort.
Dick and Yvonne Snell
Yvonne Snell says
Please include Rob and Valets in our condolences.
Steve and Sandi Hall says
Charles
It has been a long time since we had any contact. This is not the way I would have wished. Sandi and I are sorry for Margaret’s passing but glad she gets to be with her Lord and Savior.
Joyce Kuecks says
Sincere prayers to all of the family. A wonderful lady.
Cherish her memory.
Ron and Joyce Kuecks
Travis says
Aunt Margaret was a special lady and will be sorely missed! I am a life that she inspired with her love of God, music, hymns and life itself. I have been thinking of you Uncle Charles, Chris, Kim and your families and praying for your comfort, peace and love during this time!
Kitty Brilliant says
What a lovely, caring, kind woman; a great loss to our community! She will be missed by many including me. Kitty Brilliant
Rob & Robin (Snell) Dursma says
Charles, Chris, Kim, & family, we were so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear wife, mother, and grandmother. Margaret was a dear woman and friend! We have fond memories of her and our time with your family! We’re praying God will give you comfort, strength, and peace during this sad time.
Mrs Howard says
Margaret was always so very kind to me.
I’m so sorry for the loss of such a beutiful soul.
That being said, I’m sure she’s celebrating in heaven.
Thank you Margaret for being so sweet and many prayers, thoughts, as well as much love.
Eileene and John Shull says
Margaret and I were on parallel courses during my time in Butte. She was so kind to me as well as you were while singing together in various groups and talent shows around town. Margaret and I worked so well together at New Hope Pregnancy Center on the board, event planning and decorating. We also kept the nursery well stocked.
Eileene and John Shull says
Margaret was always a lady, sweet and welcoming in her nature, and kind to everyone.
You could see the love of Jesus on her face and in her voice. With deepest sympathy, Eileene & John
Laurie Cook says
You and Margaret have been a constant in my life and it is so comforting and reassuring clear back to when Buckie Smithem was the Pastor at Floral Park. You both were and are so genuinely friendly and always so involved with the Church. Also Margaret gladly being our Church pianist, and you leading us in worship. Margaret was such a kind and lovely woman; she will be greatly missed.
Joyce Bolte says
Margaret and I were childhood friends and we spent many hours playing together, we were in band together, spent many nights at each other’s house, and shared many dreams. I loved her and she will always be remembered as one if my best friends. She was a kind caring person and was always there for me.
Larry Woolard says
What a wonderful Aunt she was. There were very few people that could match her abilities when it came to word games. She and her family came home to Bentonville nearly every summer for a reunion, we all looked forward to our summer get togethers.
Carol Simon says
Dear Charles and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Margaret was a beautiful, sweet woman of God. I can see her playing the organ up in Heaven with my Mom on the piano…doing what she loved, praising God through her music.
Carol Simon
Shelly Clark says
Dear Charles and family,
Margaret, among so many things, was a child of God and a good and faithful wife, mother, community member. It was a special pleasure to meet both of you through the Choral Union. Welcome home to God’s waiting arms!
Jess Cooksey says
My thoughts and prayers for Gods peace and strength for you and your family in this difficult and sad time.
Kriss Douglass says
Dear Charles, Please know I send condolences and love for your loss of wonderful Margaret. Margaret was so strong and kind. She coaxed me back to choir then was willing to sing next to me, helping keep me in tune. I miss her; and hope your loved ones are with you now.
Kriss
Recia Manion says
Charles our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family I was just 5 years old when I met both you and her and you’ve both made an impact on my childhood. She will be greatly missed much love to you all.
❤️Recia and Mike and boys
Susan Hankinson says
Sorry Charles for your loss Margaret was a great lady I will keep you in my prayers
Scott and Kelly says
Charles, Chris , Kim and family. I have many fond memories of your family over the years. I will miss Margaret and her wonderful Christian example, the conversations when your family came to visit and the calm peace she always carried with her. You could always be yourself around Aunt Margaret. She loved you no matter what condition you were in when you showed up.
Vayon Smith says
My heartfelt condolences to Charles, Chris, Kim and the rest of your family. I am praying for your comfort and peace that only can come from the Lord. Margaret was a lovely lady and I know she will be sorely missed. May the Lord give you extra measures of blessings as you remember all the wonderful moments in your lives
Cindy Newsom says
Aunt Margaret was a super aunt and I loved her so much. We always had a good time talking and laughing when they came down in the summer. We have lost so many of our sweet Aunts and Uncles from that same family in the last few months. I am glad they are with our precious Jesus and having the time of their life! Wait for us!!!!
Barbara and Charles Noe says
We just wanted to say how very sorry we are for your loss. Margaret was a beautiful expression of who Jesus was.
Charles says
I was truly blessed to have the privilege of knowing and loving my precious Margaret! Such love and devotion!
Rose says
Margaret had the heart of Jesus and walked daily in his ways. She showed great understanding and mercy for those around her. I am very happy she shared her love of music and a caring friendship with me! Together we will sing and praise our Jesus in heaven some sweet day. Until then, sing on, Margaret, sing on… Victory in Jesus!
Love and hugs, Rose and David Smith
Brenda Coltharp says
Aunt Margaret and I were more like cousins than aunt and niece. She was only 15 months older than me. I loved going up to Bentonville for a week in the summer and getting to spend that time hanging out with Margaret. She was always fun and kind, and we loved playing word games and jacks as well as walking around Bentonville visiting her friends. I also have vivid memories of the trip I made to El Paso with Margaret, Carole, and my grandparents. Margaret and I went on a horseback ride with our cousin there that we were completely unprepared for and both ended up with horrific sunburns! I am so glad that my husband and I got to visit Margaret and Charles in Butte a couple of years ago. She was such a special person, and we will all miss her.
John Skaggs says
I am sad for the loss of Margaret. We were childhood friends at church and school. There has never been a better person than Margaret. Charles and Margaret were a beautiful Christian couple.
Robert Lavoie says
Margaret was a wonderful Mother in Law to me, and sweet Grandma to our kids. She was a Godly example, always so thoughtful and generous, never missing an opportunity to send a note or gift. she was a lot of fun and enjoyed and was good at many games. We will miss her sorely, and think of her often.
Bob and Marianne Bell says
It was a pleasure to have known Margaret through the years. Shortly after our conversion, we moved back to Butte and had the privilege of developing a relationship your family. Through the years, Margaret was ready with a helping hand during a time of need. She had a quiet, peaceful way as well as a wonderful sense of humor. She was generous, and caring and we will miss her and think of her often.
Bob and Marianne Bell