Margaret Viola Cordell
May 13, 1926 - November 10, 2009
Obituary
Margaret Viola Cordell
Margaret Viola Cordell died November 10, 2009 after 83 years of life.
Margaret was born on May 13, 1926 to Leon and Aletta Stillman in Valley City, North Dakota. She was the youngest of five children: Leona, Carl, Grace and Eva. In 1937, the Stillman family moved to an 80 acre farm in Eagle Bend, Minnesota.
When Margaret graduated from high school, she followed her older sisters to Washington State. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University and University of Washington with a degree in nursing.
During WWII, Margaret was ‘Betty the Bucker,’ the compliment to ‘Rosie the Riveter’ building plane parts.
On September 12, 1948 Margaret and Wally Cordell were married in Centralia, WA and they started their family in Seattle. When her husband became a building contractor, Margaret kept the books and the financial records of the business, as well as caring for a growing family of four children: Robert, Richard, Marilyn, and Kevin. She was also active with the cranberry bog operation.
Margaret and Wally were married 55 years, until her husband died at age 77. Her husband wrote of her:
I remember looking at my wife’s family, at what a consistent Christian life they lived, and knew my wife to be very much like them. I felt she would be a great help to me in living the Christian life and she has been a very loving wonderful wife.
Margaret’s birthday often fell on Mother’s Day. She was a wonderful caring mother.
Margaret’s home was open to friends and relatives and foreign exchange students. She loved to cook, entertain and make people feel at home. She had gifts of hospitality and service. She made many wedding cakes.
She was a faithful member of Burien Free Methodist Church. She lived her faith through love and service. She enjoyed her Bible study group on Tuesdays and her Garden Club friends. She supported missionary friends.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Grace and brother Carl. She is survived by her children, Robert Linda Cordell, Richard Cordell, Marilyn Mike Reichenberger, and Kevin Janet Cordell, sisters Leona Rennells, and Eva Rogers, 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Visitation Thursday, November 12th 5:00-7:00pm at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 206 242-1787. Graveside Service Friday, November 13th at 9:15am at Tahoma National Cemetery. Memorial Service Saturday, November 14th at 2:00pm at Burien Free Methodist Church, 520 S. 150th St. Burien, WA 98148.
Sorry for your loss. Wishing you the best.
Dear Cordells, I sure remember your mom always smiling and loving. She and your dad Wally were always such a good example of that for me, as their testimonyboy I sure miss those Sunday nite testimonies!. Carry On! with love, Celeste holliday and Dennis Pinheiro
I will always remember aunt Margaret as a very warm and loving woman. Although I had only met her a few times when I was a child visiting WA with my family her welcoming smile and warm embrace was that of someone walking in step with Christ.
I knew your mother because my parents, the Petersons rented the house on S.173rd for more than 14
years. During that time my mother
passed away and a few years later
my father in 2007. Your mother was
very kind to my father. She kept
his rent low so he could afford to
finish his years there in the house
he concidered his home. My sisters and I had met her and talked with
her. She was a wonderful and caring
person. She showed herself to be a
loving person who cared about other
people. We accept our deepest sympathy for your loss but rejoice
in her life everlasting with our
Lord. God’s Grace for your family,
Sincerely, Janette Olsen, Janell
Peterson, Melody Dewitt and Judy
Hardman, Peterson daughters