Marguerite (Peggy) Nielsen Rye Paynter passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Washington County Nursing Home in Akron, Colorado.  Peggy was born June 14, 1921 in West New York, New Jersey.  She was the seventh child of seven children of Hans Christian Rye and Wilhelmina Carolina Nielsen Rye.  She grew up in Princeton Junction, New Jersey where she was baptized into the Lutheran Church.  She graduated from Princeton High School.

On March 2, 1943, Peggy married William Brown Paynter, Jr. at All Saints Eben-Ezer Lutheran Church in Brush, Colorado.  Bill and Peggy raised three children living in New Haven, Connecticut; Brush, Akron and Sterling, Colorado.

Being a very creative person, she enjoyed: quilting, knitting, growing roses, making intricately decorated sugar Easter eggs, and making Christmas stockings for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  For several years Peggy owned and operated Peggy's Ceramic Shop in Akron, where she enjoyed helping people with their various ceramic projects.  She also enjoyed helping Bill occasionally at his law office.  Her favorite occupation was being homemaker.  She especially loved entertaining friends in her home, and entertaining her family for the holidays.  She delighted in making Danish goodies for her family including Kjleners  (Danish Christmas cookies),  and Aebleskivers (Danish pancakes).

Peggy and Bill loved traveling around the world with the University of Colorado Buff Club, seeing the sites, and making new friends.  Many restful days were spent at their cabin in Estes Park, frequently entertaining fam ily and friends, and going to CU football games.  After Bill retired they lived at their cabin, enjoying just watching the snow fall, and admiring the visiting deer and elk.

Peggy belonged to several bridge clubs throughout the years.  She and Bill played Couples Bridge with their friends in Akron, driving from Sterling every month back to Akron just to play bridge and visit.  Peggy also belonged to Eastern Star, P.E.O., Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Sterling, and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Estes Park.

Peggy was preceeded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her parents Hans and Mina Rye, her three brothers, three sisters and one half-sister and their spouses.

She is survived by her three children:  Bill III and wife Sue of Scottsdale, AZ, Marguerite (Peggy Ann) Grace Cummings and husband Wendell of Sedalia, CO, and Roxann Hall and husband Terry of Wellington, CO; one sister-in-law Florence (Floss) Paynter Beck of Oxnard, CA;  7 grandchildren- Kirsten Paynter, Bill Paynter IV and wife Liz, Matt Paynter and wife Jacquie, Kelly Hansen and husband Mason, Vanessa McCracken and husband Frank (JR) , Mike Hall and wife Erica, Eric Hall and wife Angela; 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Peggy celebrated her 100 ^th birthday on June 14, 2021 at the Washington County Event Center in Akron with 80 family members and friends.  Private services will be held in Estes Park at a later date.