Lena – Margaret (Armagost) Scholtz, age 95, life-time resident of Lena, IL died peacefully on July 8th, 2014 at Fox Point Manor Memory Care facility, McHenry, IL where she lived since October 2012.

Daughter of Charles Grant and Laura Amanda (Strunk) Armagost, Margaret was born on September 25, 1918, in Waddams Grove. She attended country school until moving to Lena in 1929 and graduated from Lena High School in 1934. She married Clyde E. Scholtz at Washington Street Methodist Church in Petersburg, VA on August 1, 1942 while Clyde was in the U.S. Army. The couple ran the Clover Farm grocery stores in Lena and Lanark for a few years. Margaret was a longtime member of the Lena United Methodist Church (member # 17 on the register, member 83 years +); Martha Missions, American Legion Auxillary, Sprague-Simon Unit #577, Phi Beta Sigma sorority and a founding member of the Lena Area Historical Society as well as secretary of the Lena Cemetery board. She was called 'Margie' by her friends and loved to play bridge. Margie got along with everyone and was a stalwart in the community. After WWII, a social group of friends consisting of the couple of Dameier's, Kauffman's, Taylor's, Becker's, Block's and Haubach's got together at Lion's Park every other week in the summer for 'picnics and cards' – the perfect way to grow a family in Lena.

Margaret served on the Lena Library board for many years and was librarian at the Lena Public Library for 12 years, working at the library for 15 years. She spearheaded the successful referendum for the Library to become the Lena Community Library District and helped build the new existing library. Margaret was an avid reader and local historian belonging to a Lena book club and doing genealogical research for many people. She wrote a regular local history column in the The Shopper and helped write the first book on Stephenson County history along with Eugene Vickery. She often gave of her time doing historical tours of Lena and giving talks and tours to local high school students at the Lena Cemetery, talking about genealogy and local history and the Black Hawk Indian War. In 2004, Margaret was honored by the Lena Lions as Citizen of the Year. Known affectionately as "the Library Lady" Margaret was also honored by receiving the Illinois Governor's Rural Affairs Council "Extra Mile Award" award in 1992 for her volunteerism. Margaret was also chosen as parade marshal for the 1995 Lena Lions Fall Festival. She also helped spearhead the Flag Tribute to area war veterans located in the Lena Cemetery in 2003. Margie volunteered many hours at the Lena Area Historical Museum, helping set up exhibits and leading tours; she also loved to dress up in late 1800's /early 1900's garb and do tours of the family home on Oak St. during home tour days. In 2005, a book of her selected newspaper articles was published by Pine Hill Press (SD) entitled A Walk Through History: Lena and the Surrounding Area – proceeds were donated to the Lena Historical Society.

Margaret embodied the Arthur Ashe quote "from what we get, we can make a living. From, what we give; however, we can make a life." If Margie could provide the answer or give comfort to someone in need, she did it without question - she gave her heart to everybody and was sincere and happy in the giving - - she had quite a life!

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Clyde E. Scholtz (long-time Lena Village President), three brothers: Walter, Earl and George and three sisters: Dorothy Armagost, Leone Rote and Kathryn Reynolds. Surviving are her sister Mrs. Willard (Gladys) Stadermann of Eleroy and her two children: Jean Scholtz (Rockaway Beach, OR) and James Scholtz (McHenry, IL) along with 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Also, preceding her in death were her long-time friends, Harold King (Lena) and Lloyd Reel (Freeport).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 2, 2014 at 5:00 PM at the Lena United Methodist Church.

A memorial fund for the Lena Historical Society has been established in her name.