Margaret Elaine Hilty

Margaret Elaine Hilty passed away Sunday, June 14, 2020, at the Cheney Care Center where she had resided for the last two years. She was 86. A family graveside service will be held later this summer in the Colfax Cemetery.

Margaret was born on June 6, 1934, in Colfax, Wash., to Wayne and Mary Schoeff Doty. She grew up in Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School. On March 6, 1953, Margaret married her high school sweetheart, Gene Hilty. The couple settled outside of Colfax where Gene worked for Hugh Huntley and later Henry Niehenke before starting their own operation on leased land in the 1970's. Margaret and Gene raised a family of four daughters while also farming full time.

She was a busy mom and was very active in 4H while her girls were younger. Margaret was very active with the Palouse Empire Fair for many years. She loved doing arts and crafts and was a talented seamstress and could sew anything. She found a great way to relax while spending time in her garden. The Hiltys moved to Salinas, Kan., in 1982 when Gene began his career in the draft horse industry. They spent many years traveling the United States and Canada putting on clinics on how to drive show hitches, among those big hitches, Gene drove for Coors Brewery in Colorado and VanExcell Dairy in Lodi, California. Margaret made many of the show pieces and decorations for the horse's tails and manes and even did most of the braiding of their hair. They returned to Whitman County in 2013 to be near family and resided in Garfield. Margaret was an avid reader and enjoyed the Whitman County Library. She was honored to have her window box collage art displayed in the library.

She is survived by her four daughters, Janet Hedlund, Garfield, Barbara (Tim) Schluneger of Colfax, Christine (Jim) Powers of Wapato and Nancy (Kevin) Brunson of Platteville, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Hedlund, Jacki (Keith) Tyler, Jamie (Brock) Slocum, Abbie (Chuck) DeMeerleer, Elizabeth (Dustin) Carter, Samuel (Peach) Kammerzell, Jeff Powers, Jake Powers, and Elaine (Falon) Hibler; and seven great-grandchildren, Grace and Kellan DeMeerleer, Zakiah and Kamden Carter, Otis and Maisy Kammerzell, and Cooper Slocum; as well as by her siblings, Bob Doty, Cheryl Doty, Mike Doty, Pat Doty, and Ann Stevens. She was preceded in death by brothers Don and Dan Doty. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Whitman County Library. On-line guest book is at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.