Margaret was born in Everett, WA to Bernard and Ingrid Nysether, the youngest of five children. She had many fond memories of growing up on a small dairy farm and attending a two-room schoolhouse in Silvana. Margaret graduated from Arlington HS in 1958. In 1959 she married "the love of my life" Walt Ames. They were married just shy of 49 years. Margaret and Walt raised their family in Everett and Seattle before returning to family property in Silvana. During her years in Seattle, she was an executive secretary for several different programs at the University of Washington.

Margaret will always be remembered for her selfless generosity to family, friends, church, the Sons of Norway and many other causes. She was known for her lefse, krumkake, and wild blackberry pies.

She was preceded in death by Walt in 2008, her sister Eleanor, brother Irving, and great granddaughter Alivia. She leaves behind to celebrate and remember her life her children Debra (Tim) Spaulding of Tacoma, Douglas (Caren) Ames of Stanwood and Diane Ames of Port Townsend; four grandchildren Chris Spaulding, Teresa (Mike) Handy, Rebeca (Matt) Tichy, and Jeffrey (Nicole) Spaulding; great grandchildren Alaina, Margaret, and Charlie Spaulding, Aidan and Makayla Handy, Grady, August, Keegan, and Briggs Tichy, and Logan and Aubrey Spaulding; her brother Lyle Nysether, sister Arlene Blunk, countless nieces and nephews and extended family members; and her beloved cat Andy.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA at 1pm on January 3rd. There will be a celebration of life planned at a later date in the Silvana/Stanwood/Arlington area.