Delores “Peggy” Holtschlag died Sept. 29, 2004, at West Seattle’s Admiral Heights Assisted Living of natural causes. She was 87 years old.

Born in New Madrid, Mo., on Feb. 19, 1917, Peggy spent her early years on a farm. She was orphaned at the age of 10 and spent the rest of her childhood in the households of various relatives. She did farm chores, including picking cotton, to earn her keep.

She married Ralph Jacob Holtschlag in 1938, and moved with her family to Seattle in 1954. In 1974 the couple moved to Vashon to retire. Ralph died in 2000.

Peggy sold dahlias and produce a the Pike Place Market, as well as the early days of the Vashon Saturday Market.

She will be remembered by her family and friends, whose lives were enriched by her love, her friendliness and her resilient spirit.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Henry of Seattle and sons Steve of Columbia, S.C. and Tim of Vashon, as well as six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.