Margaret Ruth Akers, 82

Margaret Ruth Akers, 82, passed away peacefully, Monday, March 7, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho, surrounded by her son, Jim; daughters-in-law, Kate and Nancy; and Jasmine the cat.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint with the Rev. Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton officiating.

Margaret was born June 2, 1922, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Maurice James and Pearl (Caldwell) Swarm. She grew up and attended schools in Des Moines, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1940.

During World War II, Margaret lived on the East Coast with her first husband while he served in the United States Navy.

She married John Akers in 1948 in Des Moines where the couple made their home. Margaret put herself through night school and was later recruited by Bankers Life Insurance Company (now Principal Life). She worked hard and was one of the first successful women life insurance agents. She later retired in 1987, and in 1991 moved to Sandpoint, Idaho.

Margaret was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, loved to sing in church choirs, and loved her pets. She baked the best lemon meringue pies anyone ever tasted, and baked thousands of chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Jim (Nancy Gerth) Akers of Sagle, Idaho; a daughter-in-law, Kate Akers of Sandpoint; four grandsons, John (Liza) Akers of Moscow, Idaho, Virgil Akers serving with the 116th Battalion in Iraq, and Virgil's wife Heather living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Kelly Akers of Seattle, Wash., and Joseph Akers of Lockland Air Force Base; three great-grandchildren, Quientin, Cameo and Alicia Akers; and cousins, Walter Caldwell of Keokuk, Iowa, and Donna Swarm Logsdon of Perry, Iowa.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and husband John Akers in 1997.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 417 N. 4th Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Margaret's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.