Margaret Emmaline Etter, 96, of New Florence, Missouri, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at St. Andrews at New Florence.

Margaret was born on June 20, 1927, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Elijah and Katherine (Korman) Gruber. She married Stanley Houke on September 5, 1945, and they raised four daughters and a son together before his passing on September 18, 1985. She then married Kern Etter on July 6, 1993, and they spent 11 years together before his passing on October 26, 2004.

Margaret spent some time working as a cook at a nursing home, but was mostly a homemaker, tending to her own home and raising her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City. She would spend much of her free time working on puzzles, and she always had great jokes and the best sense of humor. Margaret was always fun and you never knew what she might do or say next, like jumping into the pool at 76 years old, or wanting to drive "old" people to the doctor when she was 83 years old herself. She also loved dancing and was particularly good at the jitterbug. Margaret was a giver; she would do anything she could to help somebody else. She loved people and had the kindest heart. She found happiness in serving at the VFW and spent a lot of time with the Montgomery County Senior Center.

Mrs. Etter is survived by her four daughters: Juanita (Kevin) Busken of Montgomery City, Missouri, Brenda (Jesse) Edmonds of Wentzville, Missouri, Torey (Dan) Goodson of Troy, Missouri, Lisa (Tom) Bylo of Wright City, Missouri; three stepchildren: Randy (Kyoko) Etter, Alan (Linda) Etter, Nancy Etter; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and twins on the way; 6 great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Wanda Robinson,  Bill Gruber, Dink Agular, Donna Devlin, John Gruber, Esther Blom, Pat Gruber, Mit Brandenburg; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Elijah and Katherine Gruber; husband, Stanley Houke; husband, Kern Etter; son, Glendale Houke; siblings: Bonnie Beckman, Mike Gruber, Bud Gruber, Bernice Brandenburg, and Marie Snarr.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, Missouri, with family members officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Inurnment will follow at the Jonesburg City Cemetery in Jonesburg, Missouri.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Montgomery City VFW Post 4436 or to the Montgomery County Senior Center, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Missouri 63361.