Marjorie Springmeyer — 1922-2016
Marjorie Springmeyer
By Kathryn Reed
Marjorie Johnson Springmeyer, pioneer, activist, environmentalist and vocal advocate for justice, died Jan. 28, 2016. She was 93.
Mrs. Springmeyer had been ill for a number of years.
She was born July 23, 1922, in Gardnerville.
Her mother, Stella Van Dyke, moved to the Carson Valley from Ohio to teach at Douglas High School. Her father, Knox Johnson, came to the United States from Denmark.
Mrs. Springmeyer spent her summers in Tahoe during the era when the basin had more cattle than people.
“We ran around all the time with our shoes off,” Springmeyer told this reporter.
The family owned a large swath of land in the basin – and still does. When her dad died Mrs. Springmeyer’s mother retained the land in the Bijou area of South Lake Tahoe. The family had already sold the land where the Truckee River goes under Highway 50 for $1,000 so the main thoroughfare through town could be built. The land where Safeway is has been owned for years by Mrs. Springmeyer and her brothers. Her estate also owns the property on Al Tahoe Boulevard where Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is being built.
After World War II, she married Buzz Springmeyer on the family’s ranch in the Carson Valley. He had a garage in South Lake Tahoe where Auto Zone now exists.
Mrs. Springmeyer was the godmother to South Lake Tahoe City Councilman Hal Cole’s daughter. Cole wrote this article about Mrs. Springmeyer in 2012.
One of Mrs. Springmeyer’s biggest issues was having never seen the realization a city hall in South Lake Tahoe even though her family gave the land for this to be a reality.
She was a wealth of information about the history of the South Shore. She had volumes of documents; often which she kept in her vehicle when she would travel to City Council meetings.
The death of her daughter is how Happy Homestead Cemetery was created. Mrs. Springmeyer’s mother, Stella Johnson, provided the land for the cemetery. Since then the family has donated more acreage and some has been bought for the cemetery’s expansion.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Buzz Springmeyer; daughter Connie; and sons Jon Springmeyer and Fred Springmeyer.
Mrs. Springmeyer is survived by her brothers, Knox and Bill Johnson, and several grandchildren.
Services are expected to be in February.
One of the first people in town to pat me on the back at council meetings and give me words of encouragement to continue being a vocal advocate through my writings and activities of my articles was Mrs. Springmeyer. She always had words of encouragement and enlightenment for me and will always hold a special place in the community’s hearts and souls. Thank You Marjorie for being allowed to know you.
I knew Marjorie since I moved to Tahoe in October of 1945 she was a fine Lady and always willing to help.It is very sad that she never got to see the City Hall built on the property that she gave to the City for that purpose.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Tom…Never say never!
Hail Marjorie RIP
Marjorie was always committed to the success of our town, despite her frustration and disappointment at the City’s failure to build a city hall in the center of town on the property her family donated for that cause.
She believed in community engagement, going out of her way to attend City Council meetings to voice her opinion. Even when it was very inconvenient, she took the time, and I will always appreciate that. She didn’t just watch the meetings on television and grumble about outcomes – she showed up!
Thinking about her about a year ago, I called her to thank her for her commitment to our town and for taking the time to provide her perspective as a long-time local, who had insight into many issues here at Tahoe. I’m so glad I did, and will never forget her response of appreciation.
Thank you, Marjorie, and may you rest in peace.
Thanks Kae,
An amazing person Ms. Springmeyer, I was grateful to have spent an hour with her one day.
Marjorie, Knox, and William Avenues, as well as Johnson Lane will serve as reminders of this pioneering family.
She was my inspiration, to get involved. I’ll always remember.
What was a major disappointment for Marjorie was the city built a jail on the property. She felt betrayed. Her family and Marjorie were a real historical story of Lake Tahoe. She was very funny and sharp as a tack. And she cared deeply for Lake Tahoe. A wonderful lady. My heart is saddened with her passing. Rest in Peace.
Margie was a true legend and pioneer. Margie and her family were very generous to our community. I’m so grateful to have known her for over 40 years.
RIP. Never met her, but have heard her name everywhere. Sounded like a very nice person who lived a full and happy life. I hope I can achieve the same.