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Margaret Luella Massman (Harker)

Margaret Luella Massman (Harker) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Valentine’s Day 2018 at the Brookdale Vista Assisted Living Facility in Sparks, Nevada at the age of 99. She was born in Buffalo, Wyoming on Nov. 4, 1918 to Charles and Margarite (Harker) Craig. Following the death of her mother at the age of 5, she was adopted by her uncle George (and Eva) Harker, growing up in various locations.

Margaret graduated from business college in Billings in 1938 and then married Albrecht Ernest Massman (“Ernie”) on Sept. 3, 1940 in Glasgow. After moving to Portland, Oregon in 1942, they moved to Columbia Falls in late 1946, where they owned and operated the Park Theater on Nucleus Avenue.

They also partnered with Walt and Mae Thompson from Whitefish in building and then operating the Midway Drive-In Theater in Half Moon during the 1950s and early 1960s. Margaret also worked part-time for Mel Ruder at the Hungry Horse News during the 1960s. In 1981 they sold the Park Theater and moved to Vancouver, Washington.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Ernie in October 1984 and her brother Lt. Col. Clayton Craig from Cibolo Texas in July 2005. She is survived by her only son, Gene Ernest Massman and his wife Vicki in Sparks, Nevada and goddaughter Karen (Thompson) Benson and her husband Ken, in Missoula.

Margaret enjoyed traveling, dining out, and going on drives while she was still able. Since her husband Ernie was a pilot, they were able to visit more than 40 state capitals over the years. In her later years, she enjoyed watching old movies on TV, attending special musical events where she lived, and visits from family and friends.

Her remains have been placed in the Portland Memorial Mausoleum joining those of her husband Ernie. The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice and especially the wonderful staff of Brookdale Vista for their loving and compassionate care.