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In Memory

Margaret Speirs (Burdick) - Class of 1944

Margaret Speirs Burdick, 90, passed away peacefully in her home in the evening hours of May 2, 2016. A viewing will be held from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m. on Friday, May 6. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Montpelier Stake Center (340 N. 6th St.); interment to follow in the Bennington Cemetery.

Born December 24, 1925, in Bennington, Idaho, Margaret was the fourth of five children born to Lorenzo Speirs and Mary VanOrman Speirs. She spent her childhood in Bennington growing up on the family farm. She attended Montpelier High School from which she graduated as valedictorian of her class.
Bennington was also the place where she met her forever sweetheart, LeGrand Burdick, who lived right across the street. LeGrand and Margaret were married in the Salt Lake City LDS temple on September 1, 1943. Just nine days later, LeGrand entered the military, and Margaret began her senior year of high school.

After LeGrand returned from his service in WWII, he and Margaret were blessed with five children. Margaret worked as a mother in the home for several years before going to work outside the home. She worked as a retail sales clerk for JC Penney and a motel housekeeper to help finance her children's higher education.

Margaret had a spirit well in tune with the beauties of the earth. She loved to tenderly care for her garden and watch the birds playing in her backyard. When she wasn't outside enjoying nature, she was inside cheering on the Utah Jazz.

For much of her life, Margaret acted as a caregiver for many elderly people during the last years of their lives. Her life was truly one of selfless service.
Margaret is survived by children Carol Davidson (Don), son-in-law Roger Pedersen, Donald Burdick (Lyona), Laran P. Burdick (Shelley), and Mary Miller (Jules) along with her brother William Speirs (Myrna), brothers-in-law Laran E. Burdick and Dennis Burdick (Gay), and sister-in-law Rowena Cook. She also has thirteen grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, LeGrand Burdick, her parents, daughter Judy Pedersen, brother L. Eldon Speirs, sisters Louise Mickelson and Berniece Tarbet, and son-in-law Wendell Warren.