Margarethe Pommerening

What a pioneer- This is only part of the story… February 5, 1925 - November 26, 2021 - 96 years strong. Born in Germany, lived through a war, helped manage her family’s property in Germany that she should have inherited, but on her 18th birthday, a brother was born. So, she could not inherit. She met a man that she would later marry and immigrated to America in 1954, he left her when their daughter was 3. She did not speak English very well. She found work as a cook on a cowboy ranch in Washington State. Then she was sponsored to become a U.S. citizen from a Lutheran Pastor who was a family member in Portland, OR. She then found a job in Salem, OR at Deepwood Manor, her employer saw great promise in her and said, “If you can better your English and learn secretarial skills, I will hire you at the bank that I am affiliated with, as a line teller.” 30 years later she became Vice President of that bank. She also had a 5-acre farm that she raised chickens, pheasants, 2 steer, a pony for me, pigeons (she built all the pens herself), and had a 30-run dog kennel built that was a dog boarding business. Her garden was approximately ¼ acre - with vegetables, fruit, and a small orchard. She conducted dog training classes which included obedience, trained her own dogs for show, and guard dog training. She was quite the volunteer - March of Dimes, Chamber, Greeters, Oregon State Fair, the list goes on. She traveled the world. She had a hard life and worked hard to survive it and she did and was successful. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed by many. Her family was blessed to be with her on Thanksgiving and be by her side. She left us peacefully, in her words, “To be with Jesus.” We love you very much. We thank you for all the things you did for everyone while you were with us. You are greatly missed! Love, Your daughter Sittah Harris and granddaughter Anna Harris