Margaret Kathryn (Clark) Salanski
1925-2013

Margaret Salanski, age 78, from St. Joseph, Missouri, died at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri on October 19, 2013. Although her health had been faltering for several years, it was the love of her family that kept her striving for life to the end.
Margaret was born May 25, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri to Kenneth and Margaret (Fitts) Clark. She was a graduate of Paseo High School and recently attended her 60 year reunion. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA from the School of Education. She was a member of Delta Gamma Social Sorority. While at KU, she met her lifelong partner, Charles “Bud” Salanski. They were married on August 25, 1956.
After moving to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1957, Margaret became involved in the community. She was active in Chapter BP of PEO, holding almost all offices, and was honored as a Golden Girl for 50 years of membership. She was a member of the Heartland Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, where she earned the designation of Emeritus Member in January 2012. She was active in the Auxiliary’s Cattle Baron’s Ball and was instrumental in the growth of the hospital Gift Shop. She was a Life Service Elder at Wyatt Park Christian Church. She served on the boards at both the YWCA and YMCA where she was most known for her work on their annual fundraising campaigns. Margaret was also a lover of the arts. She enjoyed and supported the symphony and art gallery. She and Bud received membership in the President’s Circle Western League for Excellence in 2009.
Margaret played both tennis and golf. She was active in city wide golf, as well as Ladies Golf at St. Joseph Country Club. She took great pride in making a hole in one at Fairview County Club during a city tournament. She also enjoyed scotch foursome play with her husband Bud.
Margaret’s ultimate joy in life was her family. She and Bud celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this past August with their children and grandchildren. The whole family shared a love of KU sporting events and had many a tailgate over the years. For 52 years the entire family spent a week each summer at Bull Shoals Lake in southern Missouri. She strived to attend as many of her grandchildren’s events as possible, always bragging about their accomplishments. She was truly loved by all of them.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Charles “Bud” Salanski of the home; children, Stephen Salanski (Phyllis) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Kim Salanski of Olathe, Kansas, and Pam Singer (Tolan) of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Doug Salanski (Jill), Kristin Chandler (Jonathan), Abbigail Singer, Noah Singer, and Kaitlin Salanski. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann Farris (Robert) and family and her sister in law, Stephanie FitzSimmons (James) and family.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Meierhoffer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. A celebration of her life will take place at 11:00 am at Wyatt Park Christian Church. Private Interment Memorial Park Cemetery prior to the service. Donations can be made to Wyatt Park Christian Church or The Center, a Samaritan Counseling Center. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.