Margaret McColm

A local farmer's wife and mother has gone to join her family in heaven. They will surely be waiting for her at the Gate of Heaven. Margaret Mae Naomi (McGown) McColm, 87, passed away suddenly Tuesday evening, October 17, at her farm home in rural Columbus with her loving and faithful companion, Suzie, by her side. She had finished her chores for the day, had supper with her daughter, Athena McColm, sat down for the evening and unexpectedly passed away. Margaret was the fifth daughter of seven girls, born to John and Florence McGown. She was born on August 20,1936 in their farm home north of McCune, Kansas. Margaret worked on the farm, completing her chores before walking to Green Elm School (a one-room schoolhouse). This included a time when she was taught by an older sister. In 1954, she graduated from McCune Rural High School. She also attended Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, Kansas. On Easter Sunday, April 1,1956 she married Charles L. McColm in the United Chapel Church, of rural McCune, Kansas. Two daughters, Athena and Anita, were born to this union. In 1957, Margaret and her family moved to Columbus. She was a stay at home mother until her girls were school age. She then began working for USD #493 as a bus driver. She drove the school bus for 42 years. With the hours of driving a bus, she could also work on the farm. She was currently a member of the Columbus First United Methodist Church, Retired School Personnel of Cherokee County, Old Iron Club in Fredonia, lifetime member of Miners Hall Museum in Franklin and American Legion Auxiliary of Erie. She along with her husband were charter and founding members of the Columbus Saddle Club. She served as project leader for several different 4-H projects and coached girls and women softball teams in Columbus. She helped with crafts at Vacation Bible School and for second graders, in her daughter's classroom. Margaret and Athena were named Citizens of the Decade 2011 to 2018 for Columbus with the work they did in making the Veterans Memorial a reality. Margaret and Charles put on antique tractor pulls and for over 28 years put on kiddie tractor pulls at county fairs in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma with the miniature sled they designed and built. Margaret and Athena have exhibited pedal tractors and implements at local fall festivals. They recently showed at the Columbus Days Festival. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Anita McColm and three sisters, Betty Zimmerman, Dorothy Zimmerman, and six week old Kathleen McGown. She is survived by daughter, Athena McColm, Columbus, her precious dog, Suzie, and three sisters, Patty Mustard, Oak Point, Texas, Helen McDonald, San Tan Valley, Arizona, Marietta Munding, Parsons, Kansas along with several nieces, nephews, and many longtime friends. A celebration of life will be conducted Monday, October 23 at 10:30 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus. Pastor Dorcia Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow the service at the Park Cemetery in Columbus. Those serving as pallbearers will be Jake Cain, Roger Forth, Harry Mitchell, Bub Tate, Steven Zimmerman, and Vernie Zook. Memorial contributions may be made to Columbus First United Methodist Church in care of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.

Margaret McColm

August 20, 1936 - October 17, 2023