Margaret Dale McLane

Wasilla resident Margaret Dale McLane, 64, died with her loving husband, daughter and son in-law at her side on Jan. 19, 2013, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A celebration of life in honor of Margaret will be held at a later date in the spring. Maggie’s cremated remains will be scattered at a remote location where her mother and father are.

Margaret was born Oct. 27, 1948, in Crescent City, Calif., the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Stimson.

Maggie lived all over Alaska during the last 40 years. Most notable were Wasilla, Kodiak, Juneau, Hoonah and Bethel. Margaret worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Health and Social Services. She retired from the state of Alaska in 2007. Maggie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandkids, road trips, camping, reading and horses.

The family wrote: “Maggie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was loved by all who met her. Maggie met and fell in love with her husband in the eighth grade. It was love at first sight on a ranch in Payson, Ariz. The love that they had is a love that we only hope to have in our lives. Maggie’s arms were always open for a hug. She opened her heart and home to anyone who needed it (animals and friends). Her contagious smile, loving heart and the art of baking great desserts will live on in her husband, daughter and grandchildren. Maggie’s favorite place was next to her husband driving on one of their grand adventures. Maggie was very involved in the lives of her husband, daughter, grandkids and son in-law. Summers were spent camping with family and friends. Maggie now has her wings and is a guardian angel to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”

Margaret is survived by her husband, David McLane of Wasilla; daughter and son in-law, Heather and Jeff Reed of Eagle River; grandson, Jared Reed of Eagle River; grandson, David Reed of Eagle River; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Ardell Stimson of Sugarland, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Betsy Stimson of Sugarland, Texas; and many other friends and family members.

She was preceded in death by parents, Joseph Stimson and Margaret Stimson; and her brother, John Stimson.

Memorial Donations may be to Alaska SPCA, 549 W. International Airport Rd. Suite B-2, Anchorage, AK 99518.

Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home. Please visit Maggie’s online obituary and guestbook at alaskanfuneral.com.