Margie Ann Yates, 95, of Fortuna, passed away peacefully in her home on March 26, 2026, with her children at her side.

Margie was born on November 8, 1930, in Powell, Wyoming to Jewel (Hammontree) Owen and Homer Altus “Jack” Turney Owen. Her older sister, Eva Sue, was her best friend out in the oil fields of Elk Basin, and they shared many stories of dust, the Great Depression, living in Denver, running a farm stand and their trip to California in 1942 to help with the war effort. They settled in Marin County where Jewel worked as “Rosie-the-Riveter” at Mare Island and Jack worked as a builder. With parents like that, it’s no wonder Margie was hard-working and knew that she could do anything she set her mind to.

Margie graduated from San Rafael High School in 1948, young, bright and in love with Jim Yates, her middle school sweetheart. They were married in 1950 and enjoyed spending the next 68 years together – a lifetime of love and happiness. They raised two children, Annie (1952) and Bob (1955), continually encouraging and supporting them while being patient and kind - a challenge during the 1960s and 1970s. At their 50-year anniversary, Jim, the gentlest person ever, joked that the only time they ever argued was when he wanted to kill the kids and she wouldn’t let him! Margie also made a difference in the lives of many other young people and friends. She listened carefully. She was known for helping to solve problems with her spot-on pearls of wisdom while rarely giving advice. (Stuck in a rut? Remember, a rut is a grave with the ends knocked out. That will get you moving!) She was a trusted confidant and reliable supporter.

Margie was trained as a bookkeeper but was also a skilled draftsman and designer. She learned building skills from her father while she was young. Eventually, she designed, decorated and landscaped her own home in Santa Rosa in the 1960s. In 1961 Margie went to work for the North Coast Builders Exchange, where she would flourish for 35 years and retire with accolades. There she was appreciated for being able to run the office, keep the books, interface with the construction industry, fix or figure out anything mechanical, put together a newsletters and events, understand blueprints, advance the cause of Women in Construction and bring in the age of technology – all with a soft touch and steel determination.

Margie and Jim joined the Order of Easter Star in 1974 and became part of a fraternal family that became a lifetime joy. Margie held many offices in Rose Valley Chapter, Santa Rosa and in Rohnerville Redwood Chapter, Fortuna, as well as Deputy Grand Matron for the State of California in 1986. They traveled extensively to visit other chapters and attend events. They were as comfortable in formal wear as they were in blue jeans. They belonged because they believed in being part of a service organization, being connected to other good people, and the value of having close friends. Margie and Jim remained active members for more than 50 years.

Margie & Jim always lived close to her sister. Sue and Ed were their best friends as well. The families shared holidays, vacations, birthday parties, weekend dinners, card parties and overnights for many years. Cousins Bob and Sharon, Judy and Annie were often confused as siblings when they were together. Those nieces remained close to Aunt Margie and came to see her often. Margie cherished them like her own. She was happy to remember her sister and share those memories.

After Margie and Jim retired, they hit the roads in their travel trailer. They teamed up with friends from high school, neighbors, and masonic friends to visit, relax and see the United States. Of course, Margie took along her word puzzles, handwork and a notebook to record all of the details – like dates, times, weather, mileage, gas, sites, campgrounds…. She could have written a travel guide for RV enthusiasts.

Margie was a creative perfectionist that seemed to be able to do anything. She could sew a formal gown, do flawless handwork, draw and paint, and was a great cook. She didn’t just garden; she landscaped, passing that love on to her daughter. She was keenly intelligent and organized. She kept her mind sharp by doing all of the daily puzzles in the newspaper, plus a few online brain twisters. Only recently did she reluctantly give up bookkeeping – when the checkbook was off by two cents. “Old bookkeepers never die, they just lose their balance!”, she quipped. At 95 she was still serving on the Finance Committee for her church and Eastern Star.

If you knew Margie, her faith in God and belief in goodness came through in everything she did. She always had a smile and took time for others. Her cup remained more than half full, and she was genuinely positive. Above all, Margie was gracious. She rarely complained, gossiped or spoke ill of anyone. A close friend described her as “a faithful and Faith-filled woman.” She was a good friend, a loving mother and wife, and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother, a mentor and dear friend to many. She was a rare and wonderful human. Her spirit will be missed.

Annie and Bob were very close to their parents and marveled at their good fortune to have such special parents. Bob lived with them for over 10 years, sharing and caring for them as they aged. He made it possible for each of them to live at home and to age and die gracefully supported by love. Angels come in many forms. Margie was always grateful to have her children nearby and they were with her to the very last breath.

Margie is reunited in death with parents, Jewell and Jack Owen; sister Eva Sue Hansen; husband James Yates; and many other family and friends that preceded her on the 95-year journey. She joyfully leaves behind son Robert Yates of Fortuna; daughter Annie and Beau Sicotte of Eureka; two granddaughters, Chelsea and Mike Johnson of Tumwater, Wash., and Hailey and Colin Casper of Arcata; two great-granddaughters, Kristen and Erika Johnson of Tumwater; nieces Sharon Byrne of Modesto and Judy Lee of Petaluma; nephew Steve Lowry of Santa Rosa; and their extended families.

Please join us for a celebration of life on May 2, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the Fortuna United Methodist Church, 922 N Street, Fortuna. Please support the Hospice of Humboldt or the charity of your choice in her honor.