Marguerite Pipes Hilgers of Kennewick, WA passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024. She was born to James Manley Reed and Bessie Bledsoe Reed on July 28, 1928. Marguerite was born at home on the family farm near Appleton City, MO where she joined six older brothers and one older sister. Five years later a younger brother, Glen Reed, was born. Living on a farm in those years was tough! However, Marguerite, (Midge to her family,) insisted they weren't poor because they always had enough to eat.

Marguerite married Donald Pipes on June 12, 1945 in Rolla, MO. With great expectations, Donald leased farm land and borrowed money for seed to plant. After a season of drought followed by heavy rains, they headed to Yakima, WA. Donald's uncle, John Kelland, helped Donald find a job with Lay & Nord Auto Parts. During their years in Yakima three children were born; a son, Gary, in 1948, a daughter, Gail, in 1950, and five years later a second daughter, Geanette, was born. MOM was a very busy mom!

Donald worked at Lay & Nord for 15 years until he and a business partner opened their own auto parts store, D & R Auto Parts in Kennewick, on the corner of Washington Street and Avenue "C," in 1963. In 1964, Marguerite began the journey of working outside the home along with raising two teenagers and one eight year-old. She briefly worked for an orthodontist, was a bookkeeper at Darigold, worked for two different optometrists, and for several years worked the front desk for three orthopedic surgeons, Burgdorf, Fischer and Thiel. MOM was a very busy Mom.

After they were empty nesters Donald and Marguerite were able to travel some and Mom was able to join a Bible study class at the CRC close to them. During that time some older youth came to help with some of the younger CRC youth programs. One of the youths, Lois Thiede, stayed at the Pipes' house. When Mom found out she was from Kansas she and Lois developed a very close friendship and Mom often referred to Lois as her, "Adopted Daughter".

Marguerite became a widow after Donald lost a three year battle to cancer in 1993. She was pretty lost until a friend of Donald's business partner happened to stop by. Mom married Gordon Hilgers on December 7, 1994. Let the FUN begin! Gordon was a great guy who loved to travel both in the US and internationally. Besides attending all the Reed Reunions in MO, they began attending the Hilgers' yearly reunions in, and around Bend, OR. Mom often commented that Gordon's family always gave her a warm welcome when she was with them. After over 20 years of marriage, Gordon passed from cancer in 2018. Margurite moved to Parkview Estates about four months after Gordon passed and made many new friends. After an extended hospitalization and PT Mom moved to the Badger Mountain Adult Family Home in Richland where she passed.

Marguerite was predeceased by her parents, all of her siblings except her youngest brother, Dr Glen Reed. She was also predeceased by her husbands, Donald Pipes, and Gordon Hilgers, and her son-in law, Jim Cox. She is survived by her son, Gary, (Cathy) her daughter, Gail, and her daughter Geanette, (Steve). Also surviving are two grandsons, Jason and Jared, and granddaughter, Bailey, and one great grandson, Jimmy.

Marguerite's legacies are the examples she gave her children and the life she led. She was a kind and caring mother and wife who taught her children the value of faith and family. She rooted for the underdog and volunteered to help those that had lesser abilities and means of support.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Grace Clinic in Kennewick, or the American Cancer Society (ACS).