Resident of Milpitas

Margaret was born on January 3,1926 to Carl Holmes and Florence Heilman Holmes in Oak Park, Illinois. Her mother, suffering from tuberculosis, was sent for rest and treatment in a sanitarium out West where she died in June at the age of 22. Her father was atraveling salesman and was encouraged by his sister to let Margaret be adopted.

In May 1927, she became the daughter of Calvin and Nellie Koehn of Muskegon, Michigan, who adored her and nicknamed her Peggy. Although she was raised as an only child, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins who regularly got together for picnics and outings at Lake Michigan and rides in her father’s boat on Mona Lake Always fond of music, Peggy took piano lessons starting at age six. When she was 16, her piano teacher entered her in a state piano competition where she won second place. She continued to play the piano well into her 80s.

After high school, she attended Albion College and had fond memories of living in Dean Hall, a coop that felt like a sorority. The women did their own cooking and light cleaning. At Albion, she sang in the a capella choir with her best and lifelong friend, Sandy, who was matron of honor in Peggy’s wedding. With a BA in home economics, Peggy taught sewing to junior high school students in Muskegon.

Peggy met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Lang at Central Methodist Church where they both sang in the choir. They married at that church on July 16, 1949. Peggy wore the satin gown she sewed herself. They lived in .Muskegon where their daughter Jane was born in 1951.

In 1952 they moved to Columbus, Ohio. Their daughter Nancy was born there in 1955. Shortly after Bob took a job at Douglas Aircraft in California and the family moved toTorrance, California.

In 1960 the family moved to Pleasanton, California and their son Robert, Jr. was born shortly after. They remained in Pleasanton for 10 years and became Presbyterians because there was no Methodist church in town. In 1969 Peggy was involved in creating Pleasanton Gardens, apartments for low income retirees.

After a short stint in West Palm Beach, Florida, they moved to San Jose, California where Peggy taught preschool and volunteered at the Kaiser Santa Teresa hospital gift shop. She and Bob joined the Los Gatos United Methodist Church, sang in the choir and served in various capacities. Peggy also played handbells at the church. She joined a women’s chorus, the Zingers, and loved singing with them for many years.

Music, family and friends made Peggy happy. She was predeceased by her husband Bob and son Rob. She is survived by her daughters Jane Neufeld and Nancy Callister, four grandchildren, brother Jack Holmes of Bartlett, Illinois and cousin Marcia Gruette of Safety Harbor, Florida.

A memorial service will be held on November 7at2pm at the Los Gatos United Methodist Church, 111 Church Street.