Margery S. Rickart

Francis Margery Margaret Nelson Spencer was born on June 4, 1917 in Jerome, Idaho to Edward Samuel Spencer and Cora Ann Spencer. Her family lived on a farm west of Jerome, where her Dad built a stone house. The house is now on the National Historical Registry. She grew up in the Magic Valley working on the family farm collecting eggs, milking cows, cooking and helping to raise her younger siblings. Margery graduated from Jerome High School, Jerome, Idaho on May 21, 1936. After graduation she attended school at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho from 1937-38 studying business and shorthand. She transferred to the Lewiston Normal School, Lewiston, Idaho completing a two year program in elementary education. Upon graduation from the teacher training school she began her teaching career in Carey, Idaho. Miss Spencer taught at Carey High School and served as a Junior Class advisor. She enjoyed going to dances, walking, hiking, movies and spending time with family and friends. In the 1944 yearbook a student wrote: "We have really enjoyed having you for a teacher this year. I do hope you are a here next year. Just remember the meanest and most honery kid that you ever had anything to do with and you will always remember me. As ever, John D. Turnbull." This student later became the Principal at Meridian High School in Idaho."
In the fall of 1944 Margery left Carey for a teaching position in St. Anthony. After one year, she went to work for the State Department of Education in Boise, Idaho. But her love of teaching would take her back to the classroom. In August of 1945 she was offered a temporary contract to teach in the Territorial Schools of Alaska. She began her teaching in Seldovia in September for a ten month contract pay of $2,525. She spent many years teaching in Alaska becoming principal at the elementary school at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and at various territorial and military schools from Juneau to Fairbanks until 1953.
Margery was married to Mr. William (Bill) Espy Rickart on October 12, 1952 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Their first child Marget, was born there before they left for North Carolina where William completed his civil engineering degree.
They moved to Port Arthur, Texas where he began working for the Texaco Company at one of the oil refineries. Her other three children: Spencer, Martha and Amanda were born during their years in Texas. Margery enjoyed being a mother and raising her family. The family was transferred to Casper, Wyoming in 1963 where she spent the remainder of her life. William and Margery divorced in 1973.
When all her children were in school the pull to start teaching again brought her back into the classroom. She began her teaching career for the Natrona County Schools first as a substitute teacher in 1967, often taking on many long term substitute teaching positions at the various elementary schools in the district. After serving as a substitute teacher some of the principals she worked with encouraged her to go back to school to get her teaching certificate. Margery went back to school attending classes during the summer at Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota, earning her degree in Elementary Education. After completion of her degree she continued to teach at various elementary schools throughout the district until she retired in 1988. She always held high expectations for her students, and had a love for each of them. Her principals called her one of the best teachers they ever had.
Always active in her church, she was involved in many different committees at the First Presbyterian Church in Casper. She had a strong faith in God and tried to see the best in everything. Her deep love of God led her to teach at Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller, South Dakota after she had just retired from the Natrona County Schools. This is the same school where all four of her children had attended high school. Margery was active in Kappa Kappa Iota, a teachers sorority as well as in the Rebekah Lodge #13 throughout her teaching career. In her retirement she enjoyed traveling with her three sisters taking time to visit a variety of places: Canada, Hawaii, Australia, England and traveling throughout the United States. During these days she enjoyed being with her family, children and nine grandchildren. She also volunteered as a "Pink Lady" at Natrona County Memorial Hospital/Wyoming Medical Center. She lived a long and full life giving much to all those she knew.
She is preceded in death by her parents Cora Ann Spencer, and Edward Samuel Spencer; sisters, India Ann Spencer, Winfred Ernestine Payton, and Amanda Melvina Hall; her brothers, Marcus Lowry Spencer and Myron Hamblin Spencer; and her granddaughter, Abby Eldridge.
Mom is survived by her sister, Iris Marie Yaegle of Pocatello, Idaho; her children, Marget Louise Schultz (Richard) of Grand Junction Colorado, W. Spencer Rickart (Anna) of Caldwell, Idaho, Martha Ann Weischedel (Scott) of Casper, Wyoming, and Amanda Nelson Eldridge (Ken) of Rock Springs, Wyoming; and grandchildren, Andrew & Steven Schultz, Katey, Derek, & Erin Rickart; Stuart & Sarah Cooper and Kody Eldridge. Also many nieces and nephews. Margery went to be with her Lord January 4, 2014.
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