Margaret Randle

Margaret J Randle passed away on July 10, 2022.  Peggy, as she was known to family and friends, was born on 12 June 1936 to Bruce and Margaret Centerwall in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  Her mother was a school teacher and her father was a Federal Forest Ranger thus, she became a “government brat”, moving frequently as required by her father’s job.  She attended six different schools in six different states in the first grade.

Peggy had three life-long passions – music, animals, and medicine.  She played the piano, oboe, and clarinet throughout her school years, including the University of Montana’s Grizzley Marching Band and their symphony band.  For most of her life, she shared her life with a variety of dogs and cats.

Peggy enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in the capacity of an Operating Room Instrument Nurse.  She served active duty from 1955 – 1957.  She later served from 1961 – 1968 in the Naval Reserve on independent duty at NAS Minneapolis.

During the 1970s, she owned and operated a Medical Transcription Service in San Diego.  In addition, she taught medical transcription to the blind and the visually handicapped in a vocational program sponsored by the San Diego Lions Clubs.  In 1985, Peggy was named Arizona’s Business and Professional Woman of the year by the State Business and Professional Women’s Organization.

Peggy ultimately spent 20 years as a Senior Dispatcher and Communications Supervisor for the City of Tempe Police Department, retiring in the year 2000.

Following retirement, Peggy moved to a retirement community in Mission, Texas.  For many years, Peggy had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and the Texas humidity forced yet another move back to the desert states, ultimately settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. Peggy knew no one there but soon became actively involved in the veteran community.

She volunteers at the Veteran’s Nursing Home two days a week, calling Bingo on Wednesdays and going on the breakfast outings on Thursdays.  She also volunteered to cover when there were volunteer shortages and special events.

Peggy joined the Women Veterans of Nevada where she served as treasurer for several years as well as being the Burial and Outreach Officer.  She formed a Ceremonial Team whose primary duty was to perform memorial services for indigent and homeless veterans.

Peggy served on the Veteran’s Cemetery Volunteer Committee which was responsible for planning and conducting special events at the cemetery.  She served as Vice Chair for the Nevada Veterans Assistance League and also served on the Nevada Centennial Committee.

Peggy was a life member of WAVES National and of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans.  She was also a member of the Nevada Gems Women of the Sea Services, the Women Veterans of Nevada, and a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Peggy often described herself as an “adrenalin junky” as demonstrated by her choices of professions and the remaining items on her “bucket list” which includes the desire for a ride with the Navy’s Blue Angels – sky diving – and at least a three-day submergence in an attack submarine.  In her 20’s, she drove a stock car for a year and also earned a private pilot’s license.

Peggy’s husband Ken Randle spent 30 ½ years in the Navy rising from an E-1 all the way up through O-5.  He was XO at the Bethesda Naval Hospital Corps School at the time of his demise six months before retirement.  Ken is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Peggy is survived by her stepson Kenneth A. Randle, his wife Barbara, and their children Kenneth R. Randle and Sarah E. Randle; sister-in-law Mary Jo Hemken and her family; cousins Bruce, Wayne, and Leroy Griffing and their families; cousin Mary Lemmerman and her family; and several long-time friends scattered across the country.

Peggy often expressed the opinion that if she had been a positive influence in just one person’s life, then she felt her existence was justified.

Services will be held at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the date and time for Peggy’s services are still being scheduled.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.