Margaret V. Spies/Sala

January 20, 1933 - February 21, 2023

Margaret V. Spies/Sala went to see her Lord and many dear friends, passing away peacefully in her Moses Lake lakeside home on Feb. 21, 2023, at the age of 90.

Margaret was born the youngest daughter to Jay Wynn and Daisy Wynn on Jan. 20, 1933, in Brimley, Michigan, and in 1945, with her parents and sister Ruth, moved to Moses Lake, Washington.

Margaret met and married Robert E. Spies, to whom she was married for 28 years. They had two wonderful sons Daniel (Dan/Danny) J. Spies and James (Jim/Jimmy) E. Spies, whom Margaret was devoted to because of her strong belief in family ties. Spending time together was more important to her than anything else. She continued to hold that strong family belief up to her death.

Margaret took over the family Spies Painting business in 1967 and begin as an independent self-employed house painter, wallpaper expert and ceramic tile installer, painting interiors and exteriors of homes and office buildings of Moses Lake. Margaret became well known for her fast, neat and efficient quality work, as a petite five-foot brunette without a trace of paint in her hair ending her work day with her clothes cleaner than most people, certainly painters, would have started their day. Her painting jobs were always done with a hand paint brush, roller and ladder, to the amazement of many when they found Margaret was a woman who sometimes was doing their home or two-story buildings with only her paint brush by hand or wallpapering – in hospital, doctors’ offices, restaurants and more – 10- to 20-foot walls on her ladder, something many would never try tackling even today.

Following Robert's passing away, Margaret met and married Dean C. Sala, only to have a short time in their marriage. It was mostly spent in the VA hospital due to cancer Dean had been exposed to when serving in the Marines as a sergeant in Japan's cleanup after the war.

In 1985, Margaret met the love of her life Merle Armstrong, becoming life partners for 38 years.

Through Merle, Margaret became involved in the world of bass fishing. She would go on to win several awards with the Potholes Bass Club, becoming the clubs only woman to ever win the Bassmaster of the Year Award and later to also win the prestigious Potholes Open Bass Tournament Championship award with her partner Merle, fishing against 123 teams. Many have commented she was the dearest, sweetest and kindest lady – she always was – that they had ever met, and some even said they never saw anyone who cared more about more people then herself. She would always be giving some kind of praise to everyone she met, making them feel welcome and that she was their friend. To know her was to enjoy and love her for being that way.

Margaret was a kindhearted woman who will be dearly missed by everyone who ever knew her.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents Jay and Daisy Wynn; spouses Robert Spies and Dean Sala, son Dan Spies, sisters May Wynn and Ruth Mayo, niece Pam Mayo and nephews Edward and Kenneth Mayo.

She is survived by her beloved partner Merle Armstrong; son Jim Spies (Janis Morton); stepson Lonnie Sala and wife Cathy; grandchildren Kyle Spies (Ashley), Tanya Glasco (Josh), Tyler Spies and Riley Spies; daughter-in-law Deena Spies and grandson Jay Spies; stepsons Robert, Michael and Kelly Armstrong and their children; step-grandson Michael Sala (Nora). niece Margaret Mayo Williams and nephew Kenneth Mayo; and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life memorial for Margaret will be announced sometime in the near future.

Please leave your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.