Peggy Wilson

Peggy (Feil) Wilson, 81, of Whitehall, Montana, passed away on February 6, 2024. Peggy was born on June 21, 1942, to John and Frieda Feil in North Dakota; she was the youngest of three children. She spent her childhood on a farm, attending a one room schoolhouse, and going to community dances where her father would perform with his band. Peg would tell stories of falling asleep on piles of jackets as a young girl while her father entertained the dancers with his accordion. After graduating from high school, she took off on her own for Minnesota to learn how to be a ticket writer for the airlines. 

While in Minnesota, Peggy met Jim Wilson, who was studying to be an air traffic controller; they soon started dating. She later moved to New York for work, and Jim joined the Air Force. His first assignment was at Fairbanks, Alaska. Once Jim was settled there, Peg flew to Fairbanks, and they were married in the Christian Reformed Church surrounded by new friends. A year later they welcomed their daughter, Karrie, and two years after that, their son, Jay, completed the family. 

Peg and Jim enjoyed traveling and were stationed all over the United States and even did a stretch in Okinawa, Japan. Every time they moved to a new base, they would find a church to attend, and Peg would inevitably become the new organist. She learned to play the organ from her father and loved playing the old hymns. 

After Jim retired, Peg answered an advertisement in an outdoor magazine for a ranch manager position in Montana. After being interviewed, they were both offered a job. Jim took care of the outside responsibilities, and Peggy took care of the books and made sure the owners’ home was cared for. When they decided that they wanted to fully retire, they settled in Whitehall, MT. Once again, Peg played the organ for their church; she loved being able to serve her church family through music. In addition to playing the organ, she also worked part time at a real estate office and did all of the finish work on Jim's log furniture. They had a steady business for a number of years, making beds, nightstands, dressers, and custom creations. Peg would pencil out a plan, Jim would make it a reality, and then she would lovingly stain and oil the wood. They both got so much enjoyment from delivering a piece of furniture and seeing the joy that it brought. 

As age slowed Peggy down, she spent a lot of time writing letters and calling family and friends to check up on them. In particular, she cherished daily conversions with her sister, Shirley and check-ins with their brother, Vernon. Peggy was the best gift giver and card sender. She wrote sweet notes of encouragement and Jim would add a little tease by writing a funny poem.

Peggy is survived by her husband of almost 63 years and her daughter, Karrie (Jeff) of Twin Falls, Idaho, her daughter-in-law, Akie of Chiba, Japan, her three grandchildren, Ryan (Katie) of Edmond, Oklahoma, Nathan (Sari) of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Lynlea (Rex) of Bozeman, Montana, and nine great-grandchildren: Ella, Iris, Tommy, Rocky, Madelynn, Bridger, Jay, Max, and Zuri. Peggy was so proud of each of her children and grandchildren and loved supporting them and hearing about all they had going on. They were the light of her life and brought her so much joy. Peggy and Jim lost their son Jay in 2012 to brain cancer.

The family will have a memorial service on Friday, April 5, at 2:30 pm, to celebrate Peggy’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Hodia at 5439 W. Kendall St., Boise, ID 83706, or a charity of your choice.