Margaret Alice Stolz

Margaret Alice Stolz, known as Peg or Peggy to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at the age of 96, in Visalia, CA. 

Peggy was born on July 14, 1929, in her parent’s home in Williston, North Dakota. She was the fourth and youngest daughter born to Ed and Emma Griffith. Peggy grew up in the house her father built, one room at a time, with her parents and sisters; Lorraine, Helen, and Jean.  

Peggy left Williston to attend and later graduate from the University of Montana, in Missoula, where she majored in Physical Education and was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. This is where she met her future husband, Jim Stolz. After graduation Peg went back home to work as a telephone operator before moving to San Diego, CA, to be closer to where Jim was a Marine training at Camp Pendleton. In San Diego, Peggy worked at the Y and led exercise classes. The local television station invited her to the station to broadcast a daily exercise class to their viewers. As she walked around town, people would recognize her from her TV show and wave and smile. 

After Jim’s deployment to Korea and return, they were married in Williston, ND on December 27, 1953. They returned to Missoula to finish up college and this is where their daughters, Cynthia and Linda were born. Jim later took a coaching job in Yakima, Washington, and twin sons, Michael and Richard joined the family. Again, the family moved, this time to Exeter, California in 1958, where Jim got a teaching and coaching job at Exeter Union High School. Their youngest son, Tony, was born and their family was complete. 

Peg taught PE in Lindsay, CA, at Steve Garvey Jr. High and she also worked with the school girl’s Color Guard. She was a member of the Tulare County Grand Jury, Volunteers in Patrol for Tulare County Sheriff, was a poll worker in Exeter for many years, a member of the Exeter Pink Ladies thrift shop, and Exeter Woman’s Club. After Jim’s death, she and her son, Mike, ran their small orange ranch just outside of Exeter.

She traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. She was involved with the Lindsay-Ono Sister City Program and Friendship Force of Bakersfield. 

Peg loved to gather together with her family, often hosting 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas in her home. She always welcomed visitors and had snacks and treats ready for them.

Peg was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Jim, and her son Robert (Tony). She is survived by her children Cindy Johansen (Eric), Linda Munsch (Lyle), and sons Michael Stolz and Richard Stolz (Mona), nine grandchildren, Andrea, David, Stephen, Jeffrey, Daniel, Jaclyn, Garrett, Kassi, and Sandrina, and 11 great grandchildren. 

A mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Exeter at 9 AM on Thursday August 7th, following with burial at the Exeter District Cemetery at 10 AM with a reception to follow. 

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