Margaret Ann Keith, 92 of Solon died Friday, September 8, 2006 at the Solon Care Center from a lengthy illness.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 11 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon with Fr. David Wilkening presiding.  Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, September 10 at Brosh Chapel in Solon where there will be a 7 p.m. vigil service.

Margaret was born March 26, 1914 and raised on a farm north of Solon.  She is the daughter of Ed and Mary Reyhons Brickner.  Margaret attended elementary school at the Stone Academy one room school house and graduated from Solon High School in 1932.  She married Dean Keith on June 20, 1936 in Solon.  Dean served in the Army during World War II and was a former Commander of the Solon American Legion.  They enjoyed several trips to Legion and Auxillary functions.  She served as President of the Solon American Legion Auxillary Stinocher Post 460 from 1955 to 1958.  Dean and Margaret were married almost 60 years.  Dean passed away April 13, 1996.  Margaret and Dean have five children: Marshall "Buck" (Connie) Keith of  Solon, Bonnie (Jim) Washburn of Solon, Jim (Elaine) Keith of Lexington, Kentucky, Bob (Pam) Keith of San Antonio, Texas, and Kathy (Ellis) Smith of North Liberty; nine grandchildren Kirk, Jim, Kelley, Lisa, Lance, Jennifer, Michelle, Angie, and Nancy; sixteen greatgrandchildren; a brother in law Harry Clark of Cedar Rapids and a sister in law Betty Brickner of Cedar Rapids.  Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a brother Vernon Brickner and a sister Martha Clark.

Margaret is well known as a wonderful cook, and her specialty was fried chicken, kolaches, and all kinds of cakes and cookies.  She has enjoyed her hobby of crocheting, and has made many beautiful afghans, baby blankets, doilies, and other gifts for her children, grandchildren and friends.  As a special keepsake, she made her grandchildren afghans in the colors of the college they attended.  Her handiwork will be treasured and passed down through her family for many years.

Margaret worked in her home raising her children, later managed the canteen at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, and then graduated from Iowa City Commercial College and secured a job as the office manager of the Electric Department of Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric where she worked for many years until she retired in 1979.  Margaret and Dean loved playing golf with friends at the Lake MacBride golf course.  Margaret played golf until she was 84 years old.  She served as an officer for the women's golf leaguer, secretary of the Stone Academy, and as a member of the Senior Educational Advisory Group for the Solon Community School.  She is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Margaret enjoyed many years going to sports and music activities at the Solon Community School to watch her children and grandchildren.  Margaret always worked very hard to make family holidays a special event.  Her kindness and fun personality have earned her many friends over the years.  She was a resident at the Solon Nursing Care Center, and always greeted everyone with a smile and enjoyed her family and the special holiday events.