Margaret Krey

1922 - 2021

On New Year's Day of 2021 heaven gained another angel. Margaret Krey, one of the sweetest, most loving souls on earth returned to her Heavenly Father and rejoined her beloved husband, Kenneth Russell Krey. In her nearly 100 years of living, "Grandma Krey" never faltered in her devotion to her family and the gospel. She finished her course with faith and endurance and left a legacy of love that will bless generations.

Margaret was born in Logan, Utah, on January 13, 1922, of Swiss immigrant parents. There were nine children in the family and Margaret, who was called “Gretli," learned to cook on a wood-burning stove, sew her own clothes, sing, and play the family organ. Margaret would sit at the organ with a hymnbook and would try to play the songs, asking her mother when she didn't know the notes. She played for both mutual and seminary and by the time she left home she was able to play most any tune her friends would request - by ear! While living at home in Logan, Margaret attended Utah Agricultural College (which later became Utah State University). To pay for her tuition, she worked as a secretary in public relations at the school as well as at other jobs.

After America entered World War II, she joined the U.S. Navy WAVES. With the rank of Seaman, she was chosen to be the main secretary in the office of an Admiral and was involved in assigning men to their ships. While stationed on Treasure Island near San Francisco, she met Private Ken Krey who was serving in the US Army.  It is interesting to note that, in the military hierarchy of the day, she outranked him. She said that as she was walking on base one day she passed him and had a strong feeling that she would marry him. And, in fact, October of 1944 found them on a train to Utah where they were married in the Salt Lake temple. They then returned to San Francisco where they lived until Ken finished his dental schooling. Newly discharged from the navy, Margaret worked as a statistical typist at the Western Pacific Railroad.  The next move was to Oakland, California where Ken opened his first dental office. By then they had four children, two of whom were twins. When asked how she managed, she replied, "I was so naive, I thought I was lucky." Shortly afterwards, Ken was recalled to military service, given a captain's commission in the Dental Corp and was assigned to Fort Warden in Port Townsend, Washington. From Port Townsend, Ken and Margaret moved back to California, living for a short time in Pleasant Hill and then in Walnut Creek for about 20 years. With seven children now, Margaret used the many skills of cooking, canning, cleaning and sewing that she had learned from her mother. While the family lived in California, they often went waterskiing on weekends and for family vacations. Margaret showed her athleticism by being able to stay up on one ski longer than anyone else - just so she could be alone while the rest of her family were far away in the boat. She also found time to serve as Primary and Relief Society president and, with her husband, to do temple work in the Oakland Temple. It was said that they set a record for the number of family names processed. In 1970 the family moved about 10 miles away to Danville, California, where they lived until 1977.  During this time Ken suffered his first heart attack at age 52 but was able to recover. They moved to a home in Concord, California and while there, Ken suffered a fatal heart attack in 1978 and passed away at the age of 56; Margaret was only 55!  The following year Margaret moved to Provo, Utah, and bought a house with a basement apartment where her boys could live while attending BYU. Even though recently widowed, she received and accepted a call to serve a full time mission for the LDS church in the Kentucky Louisville Mission. Her mission journals document many wonderful experiences and spiritual growth. After her mission she moved to a home in Orem where she lived from 1986 until 2009. While living in Provo and Orem, she served as a temple worker in the Provo and Mt.Timpanogos temples for a total of almost 20 years of temple service. She also completed a Family History mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. Margaret spent her last years in American Fork in her own condominium at Courtyard Leisure Homes where she lived independently and, in her words, could "take care of myself one hundred percent!"

Margaret loved her family; nothing was too much to sacrifice. She was happiest fixing meals, mending and sewing, decorating and cleaning her home, or dressing up to go dancing with Ken. She loved watermelon, Klondike bars, Utah mountains, all animals - especially her dog, Daisy and her cat, CoCo. Margaret has left a deep impression on the hearts of her posterity. She will be remembered for her example of Christ like love, her generosity, her faithfulness and devotion to the gospel, her beautiful smile, her love for her family, her ability to feed a crowd on a minute's notice, and the way she overcame difficult trials with grace, determination and courage.

Losing her independence a little at a time was very trying for Margaret. Her dog died, she couldn't drive (even though she had never had an accident) and she became more immobile. Life wasn't easy but she was still focused on family and took delight in every visit and phone call and continued to be the loving, generous faithful person she was to the end.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth and her youngest son, Kenneth Jr.  She is survived by her children,  Keena (Kent) Price of Eagle Mountain; Janet (Russell - deceased) Thompson of Logan, Russell (Sharon) Krey of Gig Harbor, WA; Barbara (Brent) McCandless of Cedar Hills; Kathleen (Michael) Gomm of South Jordan, Mike (Carolyn) Krey of Clearfield, and (Heide - widow of Ken) Krey of North Ogden. In addition to her seven children she leaves behind 29 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

We are especially grateful for the incredible loving care offered by family members during the last years of her life. We also appreciate the many caregivers who provided sensitive compassionate support during the last few months.

We will miss you "Grandma Krey" but we will always remember what you taught us and we give honor to your legacy of love.

A family memorial will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 7pm at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and will be live streamed for those unable to attend. A viewing will be held prior from 5:30 to 7pm at the mortuary. Interment at the Logan City Cemetery Friday, January 8, 2021 at 12 noon. Please share a memory of Margaret on her tribute wall.