Margaret Goerke

MARGARET GOERKE

Fort Davis, Texas

Margaret C. (Trott) Goerke, 80, a longtime resident of Fort Davis, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 16, 2019, after a long illness.

Margaret was born to Emil and Margaret (Kerr) Trott in 1939 in Iowa City, Iowa. She was the valedictorian at Iowa City High School in 1957 and attended the University of Iowa, where she earned a bachelor's degree with Highest Distinction (1962) and a master's degree (1965), both in sociology. She was awarded Phi Beta Kappa distinction.

After a short stint in teaching, Margaret settled into a life of working summers as a backcountry ranger in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in the Payette National Forest in Idaho. This is the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 states. A visit to Margaret required a three-day hike or flight by small aircraft. As a representative of the U.S. Forest Service, she served countless commercial outfitters, outdoor enthusiasts and summer volunteers from her bases in Cold Meadows, Big Creek and Chamberlain. She retired after 34 years, having left behind a legacy of tireless service.

Fort Davis, Texas, was first her winter home and then place of retirement for 50 years. She loved the Fort Davis area for its rugged physical beauty and most certainly for the warmth of its community and her many friends, especially the children. She was actively involved in service at Fort Davis Methodist Church and was a regular volunteer at Fort Davis National Historic Site. If you hadn't met Margaret, you'll probably have known her as the "bike lady." She rode her bicycle everywhere, from Hoffman apple orchard to the state park, befriending all she met. All will remember her quick smile, kind voice and selfless curiosity. Always interested, always caring.

Margaret is survived by her son, John (Kris Kluseman) Rutherford; two grandchildren, Claire and Aaron of Iowa City, Iowa; sister, Carolyn Macdonald of Kansas City, Mo.; brother, Emil (Mari) Trott of Sterling, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.

Her family owes their deepest gratitude to her care coordinator, Connie Cornett, and her multitude of loving caregivers.

Margaret donated her body for research to the School of Medicine at Texas Tech University in El Paso, Texas. A memorial service will be held in Fort Davis at a yet to be determined date. Gifts may be made to Fort Davis Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1439, Fort Davis, TX 79734.