Margaret Ellen (Belshe) Soell
Margaret Ellen (Belshe) Soell was born on September 21, 1932 in Henley, Missouri (Cole County). She was the first child born to Omar Dewitt and Anna Mae (Jones) Belshe. She attended a one room schoolhouse and graduated high school at the age of 16. She graduated with a teacher’s certificate from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri at the age of 18, and began teaching in Lohman, where she met her future husband, Erwin F. Soell and they were married on June 18, 1955.
Margaret worked for Pet-Milk (later the Ritz) Company as a secretary, while Erwin finished medical school, internship, and residency. He served in the USAF and was stationed at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth. Upon discharge in 1961, they relocated to Iowa Park and began private practice at Park Clinic. Their son, James Erwin, was born in February 1962 and daughter, Donna Rosemarie, was born in May 1964.
Margaret maintained her love of learning and teaching, and invested her gifts in serving the community. She was very active in their church, Trinity Lutheran, serving in various roles for 60 years. She was a dedicated member of the 23 Study Club of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1968 until her death, and served as Santa Rosa District President from 1982 to 1984. An avid reader herself, she was a member of the Iowa Park Library Board, the Friends of the Library, and the Adult Literacy Council, tutoring adults who were learning to read. She was an active member of the Women of Rotary, Daughters of the American Revolution (Major Francis Grice Chapter), North Texas Genealogy Society, Garden Club, and CASA. Rotary International conferences provided opportunities for Margaret and Erwin to see the world, and they visited 5 continents together. She loved the arts, was a long-time supporter of the Wichita Symphony, and served as a docent at the Wichita Falls Art Museum. A gracious philanthropist, she contributed regularly to many local and national service organizations.
Margaret passed away peacefully in her home on February 10, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents and two younger brothers: James Ortan Belshe and Donald Ray Belshe. She leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Erwin F. Soell, M.D.; son J. Erwin Soell of Iowa Park; daughter Rosemarie and husband Robert Roose of Decatur; granddaughter Rebecca (Roose) and husband Calvin Fanning of Decatur; grandson Christian Roose, wife Allison, and her favorite great-grandson, Judah “Honey Bear” Roose of Bryan; her sister-in-law, Lois Belshe of Henley, MO; and many beloved nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.
Memorial services will be held at 3 PM on Monday, February 22, 2021 in the chapel at Dutton Funeral Home with visitation following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls or a charity of your choice.
