Margaret W. Pilch, age 96, passed away August 21, 2018 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born in Big Horn, Wyoming to Everett Jasper Welch and Maggie (Verley) Welch. Margaret grew up in Big Horn, graduating from Big Horn High School in 1940. She attended Normal Training in Gillette, receiving her teaching certificate in 1943. She then taught at Soldier Creek School in Sheridan and Squirrel Creek School in Decker before taking a break to start her family.

Margaret married Stanley David Pilch on November 25, 1943. They lived on the Frisbee Ranch before purchasing the Pilch Homestead on Beatty Gulch and Sorter Ranch on Tongue River. They later leased the Perkins Place on Prairie Dog.

Three children, Jack, Barbara and Kenn, were born while living on the Frisbee Ranch. After raising children and ranching for 11 years, Margaret returned to teaching at Big Bend School in Kirby, Montana. She returned to college in 1963, receiving her teaching degree from Montana State University-Billings (formerly Eastern Montana College). Many years of teaching followed at Kearney, Banner, Squirrel Creek, Decker, Ucross, Holy Name and Big Goose, finishing her career at Slack School in Parkman.

Margaret was active in many clubs in Sheridan including 4-H, Piney Woman’s Club, Big Horn Historical Society, BPOE Does, Royal Neighbors, Jeep Herders, Horse Patrol, and Catholic Women’s Club. She volunteered at the Catholic Thrift Shop and the Senior Center and served as a Board Member of the LaRue Young Foundation.

Her family remembers her famous homemade chicken and noodles which have been passed down for generations. She could fix a meal from scratch in a few minutes and always loved having the children and grandchildren at the ranch. She was an avid traveler and was ready to go at moment’s notice.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Stanley, her parents, and all of her siblings: Marjorie Ensor, Florence Boyer, Ruth Sherard, Mary Ellen Good Palmier, Everett Welch, Lena Koltiska, David Welch, and Rosalee McCalla.

She is survived by her son, Jack R. Pilch; grandsons Sam (Erika) Pilch, Portland, Oregon; Bud (Miranda) Pilch, Mounds, Oklahoma; great granddaughter Eva; daughter Barbara (Don) Robbins, Sheridan; granddaughter Danielle (Dick) Robbins-Gregory, Kansas City, MO; great grandson David Chase; grandson David Scott (Corrie) Robbins, Sheridan; and great grandson Kydon; son Kenn Pilch, St. George, Utah; grandson Josh Pilch, Sandpoint, Idaho; great grandson Bennett, great granddaughter Georgia; granddaughter Katy Jean (Jared) Hanks, St. George, Utah; great granddaughter Avelyn; granddaughter Chris (Shad) Donnell, Park City, Utah; and great granddaughter Sedona. Margaret is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the Green House and Memorial Hospital staff for the compassionate care given to her.

At Margaret’s request, no funeral services are to be held. Memorials may be made to the Green House Activity Fund in care of Julie Norris, 2311 Shirley Cove, Sheridan, WY 82801 or to the Sheridan Senior Center’s Goose Creek Transit, 211 Smith Street, Sheridan, WY 82801. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

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