Margaret Coats, age 96 of Sac City, IA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Margaret Elizabeth Kolbe was born on April 25, 1929, to parents Earl and Opal (Schrader) Kolbe in Sac City. She was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Sac City and confirmed in April of 1943 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sac City where she was a lifetime member. Margaret grew up on a farm outside of Sac City and attended country school. Her dad built a small scooter that she rode to school every day. She graduated from Sac City High School in 1947.
Margaret married Russell Coats on October 18, 1947. This union was blessed with two sons, Robert and Donald. They lived in Sac City and in 1960, built a new home. Margaret was a homemaker who enjoyed her well-kept home, cooking, planting flowers every spring and caring for them throughout the summer (especially her rose bushes), and working on genealogy.
She and Russ both loved big band music and made sure to attend any live bands playing in the area. The two of them enjoyed ballroom dancing at Lakewood Ballroom, the Cobblestone, and many other dance halls over the years. They also spent a lot of time fishing together. Margaret loved playing cards and for many years, she and Russ were in a card club together. Once their boys were grown and out of the house, the couple enjoyed traveling and visited Florida, Arizona, and Washington D.C., as well as several other places over the years.
More than anything, Margaret enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a very proud grandma for sure! She will be missed dearly by her family and all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her sons, Bob (Terri) Coats and Don (Elaine) Coats both of Sac City, IA; grandchildren: Jennifer Coats (Rick Soll), Jill (John) Brinkman, Justin Coats, Aaron Coats, Brandon (Jordan) Coats, Christopher (Sara) Coats, Michael (Jessica) Coats, Megan (Charlie) Webster, Sean (Brenda) Coats, Kayla Coats (Prezley Gregg), Jonathan Coats (Alyssa Johnson); great-grandchildren: Larissa Coats, Dylan Soll, Sonnie (Nick) Snyder, Maymie, Hayden, and Corben Brinkman, Riley, Cash, and Colt Coats, Kayden and Nolan Coats, Maverick, Melody, and Sophia Webster, Iris and Bell Coats; great-great grandchildren LyRick and Lincoln Coats; sisters Lois Luke of Washington D.C. and Ann (Gene) Anderson of Burlington, IA; sister-in-law Bev Kolbe pf Sac City, IA; nieces and nephews: Deb (Asgar) Sorenson, Diane (Pat) Freeman, Dawn (Kent) McKee, Cheryl Luke, Alex Anderson, Corey Anderson, Bill (Carla) Coats, Jim Coats, Jean Coats, Joan Coats, and Linda Marsh; other extended family members and friends.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Coats (2002); parents Opal Kolbe (1936) and Earl (1987) and Ethel (1991) Kolbe; brother Richard Kolbe; sister Velma Bartlett; brother-in-law Al Luke; and niece, Betty Shull.
