On May 24, 1953, she was united in marriage to Rev. Melvin W. Reth at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Dubuque. A year later they moved into the parsonage of the Center Grove United Methodist Church, where she continued to teach in Epworth while her husband attended the Dubuque Seminary, where he received his Masters Degree. After the birth of her sons, she quit teaching and became a housewife, and her husband’s part time secretary. At the early stages of their marriage, when money was tight, she sewed her own dresses and pajamas as well as the clothes for her two sons.

Margaret and Melvin retired in June 1994 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in a house her and her husband not only designed, but also did a lot of the finishing work.

Margaret was involved in the United Methodist Women, Circles, helping with funerals, church suppers, janitor for the church when the church needed one, went calling on church members, and always had her front door open to anyone who wanted to come and talk. In her spare time, she did a lot of embroidery and fancy needle work which hung on walls of family members. She was active in taking care of the lawn, working in the garden, and canning/freezing food for the winter.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin of Oskaloosa; her two sons, Lynn (Laura) of Eldridge, Iowa and Myron (Pamela) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Patrick, Brooke, Samuel, Austin, and Mark; two sisters, Sandra (James) Jacobson of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and Gayle (Lyle) Saunders of Manchester, Iowa.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; and her two brothers, Herbert and William Gearhart.

Memorials may be directed to Delhi United Methodist Church; the American Cancer Society; and the American Diabetes Association.