Margaret Mary Gump, age 96, went to her eternal home on Friday, December 22, 2017. She was born June 19, 1921, in Hebron, North Dakota to Mary and Peter Kokot. Margaret grew up on a farm where she worked hard. There was no time to play. Her father was a coal miner who died at the age of 52. Margaret said, “I am a coal miner’s daughter but I can’t sing.” In 1936 she came out west to Wenatchee, WA and married James W. Gump in 1939. Margaret worked part time at a Wenatchee hospital washing dishes.

In 1946 Margaret and James moved to Spokane. She became a dental assistant to Dr. Harlan McKinney, in the Paulsen Building, retiring from there after 40 years, at the age of 62.

Margaret and James loved square dancing and ballroom dancing and belonged to the Chasse Dance Club. They loved raising flowers, especially Dahlias and Roses. Margaret was a member of Sandy Hill Spadettes Garden Club for nearly 50 years. The beautiful summer home at Diamond Lake was a source of refuge for them for some 50 years. Traveling in their motorhome brought them much joy. Poodles were their dogs of choice and they gave Demi, Rebel and Biscuit a home.

Margaret was a member of St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church for 55 years. She belonged to the Immaculate Heart Guild, a women’s club. For many years, Margaret would order the food and help prepare and serve meals for funerals at the church. She helped decorate the church with Poinsettias for Christmas and Lillies for Easter. Margaret had such a servant heart. She volunteered twice a month at the House of Charity, serving meals and helping with mailings. At Catholic Charities she would help once a month, stuffing envelopes.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James and four brothers; John Kokot, Frank Kokot, Leo Kokot and Ben Kokot.  She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews: Mary Schantz, Hebron, ND; Frances Becher, Bismark, ND; Barry Kokot, Falls Church, VA; Robert Nebergall, High Bridge, NJ; Virginia Pippin, Loveland, CO; Steven Gump, David Gump, Karen VanPelt, Brian Gump, Tim Gump and Worth Gump, all of Spokane, WA; a sister-in-law/ friend, Lucille Gump; close friends; Robert Flemming and Greg and Sue Fong; her church family and hosts of friends.

Margaret’s Rosary will be held Thursday, December 28th at 7pm and her Funeral Mass will be Friday, December 29th, 2017 at 10:00 am, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church: 1104 W. Heroy, Spokane, WA. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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