Sequim Irrigation Festival

Margaret Eberle Lotzgesell’s father, Joseph Anton Eberle came to Dungeness from Switzerland in 1915 looking for a better life.  His sweetheart, Elizabeth Katherine Weishaupt, followed him in 1917 and they married.  Margaret is the middle child of five, born in 1924 (Edwin, Mary, Margaret, Clare & Frank).  Growing up and working on the family’s 220 acre farm with 80 Jersey cows and Belgian workhorses was a “wonderful way to grow up!” 

A short walk from the farm was her two-room school at the Dungeness Schoolhouse, where she and her siblings went through 8th grade.  Margaret met her high school sweetheart, Dick Lotzgesell when they were 16 at Henry Lotzgesell’s barn dance!  After graduation from Sequim High School with her 32 classmates, Margaret attended Seattle University for 2 years, working in Seattle for 5 more years.  Dick and Margaret were married in 1948 and moved back to the farm in 1953 after the death of Dick’s father, John, with their three children (Kathy, Paul & Kris).  Two more children, John and David were born in Sequim.  Together, Dick and Margaret raised 40-50 cows on the farm and were active members of the Darigold co-op of dairy farms.  The family sold the milk herd in the late 1970s, but the farm is still actively farmed.

It is Margaret’s desire to preserve a large portion of the farm in agriculture for future generations.   The Lotzgesell family is celebrating their 150th year in Dungeness in 2009.  There are currently 3 generations of Lotzgesells living on the farm today. 

Margaret and Dick were very family oriented and believed that “the family that prays together & plays together-- stays together!”  Together they were devoted members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, School Board, Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild and Dick was a county commission after he left the dairy business.  Education was a high priority and Margaret continues to be a strong supporter of schools, the pool and library.   It was through St. Joseph’s that Margaret became a founding member of the Happy Tymer Clowns.  “Sweet Pea” was Margaret’s clown persona, having fun with the group for 7 years in parades and community events. 

Margaret continues her work volunteering with the Hospital Thrift Shop where she is able to meet new friends and enjoy being a salesperson!  After Dick passed away 6 years ago, she became a member of the Red Hat Society Ladies and is the Queen Mum of the Dashing Red Damsels.  Margaret loves her red hats and has a fun collection for every season.  Although, her favorite pastime is hiking and walking, especially with Bella, the family poodle.