Margaret (Crider) Keith

Margaret (Crider) Keith, 96, died on December 21 at home in La Grande, Oregon, surrounded by her family.  A funeral service was held on December 28 at Trinity Baptist Church in La Grande.

She was born on June 2, 1922 in Elgin, Iowa, the eldest of four children to Ray and Frieda Crider. 

From early on, Margaret was interested in medicine - it started an early age as she rode along with her father, veterinarian "Doc Crider," as he took her along on calls in the country. She enthusiastically took it all in, and it inspired her interest in the science of medicine. After she graduated from high school, Margaret entered nurses training at St. Luke's College in Cedar Rapids. graduating in 1943.  At this time, World War II was on, so she volunteered for duty. She was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army and assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in Tinker, Oklahoma. There she primarily trained medics for overseas combat. This time in her life left an indelible mark on her, and the lives of all of us who got to hear the amazing stories from the service, pieces of history in medical treatments, and what it was like to be a nurse in war time. It was a fulfilling time in her life and had a very happy ever after – Byron Keith. He was her patient, and it was love at first sight…. As he used to say, “I knew at first glance I was going to marry “blue eyes.” And he did – on January 6, 1945. He passed in 2011, but what a wonderful 66 years they had together. His job required frequent moves over the years, but upon his retirement, they settled in Las Vegas.  Throughout the earlier years, she continued her nursing career in various capacities - as a school nurse, work in physicians' offices, as director of admitting for a large hospital in the Sacramento, CA., area, and as a convalescent hospital administrator in the same area. 

While Margaret lived and traveled far from Elgin, her life story all began here. It was always her heartland. And it still remains a cherished place filled with memories for the whole Crider family. For many years, the “Crider Clan” would journey from parts afar to be together at Homecoming and enjoy the beloved farm community.  Margaret, her sister Barbara and twin brothers Keith and Ken and their families have spent many happy times here.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and David Lyon of La Grande; sister Barbara McCully, Burnsville, MN; Brother Keith Crider, Westford, MA; ; grandchildren Michael Nicely of La Grande, OR, Kevin Lyon of Medical Springs, OR, and David Lyon II of La Grande, OR; great grandchildren Elizabeth, William Lyon and Wren Lyon;  nieces Lisa Smith, Grapevine, TX, Ann McCully, Minneapolis, MN,  Kristin Murphy, Groton MA;  Jennifer Ditscheit, Melbourne, FL, Karen Lougee-Martin, Colchester, VT, and nephew Jeff Crider, Scottsdale, AZ.

This is a tribute to honor the life of our dear Margaret. This is also a loving celebration of Elgin. We know Margaret proudly called the Little Switzerland of Iowa her roots. We do too.  We miss her dearly, but celebrate her life well lived.   

Memorials may be made to the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or the City of Hope. 3p3