Margaret A. Lasalle

Margaret A. LaSalle, nee Penzenik, passed away peacefully at her home on January 25, 2021.  Born in May of 1931 in Mogadore, Ohio, to Charles and Anna Penzenik, she spent her life in the Akron area.  In 1947, she married Frank C. LaSalle, and they raised five children.

Throughout the 1960s, she and Frank worked together to establish the Buckeye Fence Company, and they served on committees for the Builders Exchange of Akron.

In addition to being a homemaker, Margaret had keen business sense and a special talent for raising horses.  In 1973, she and Frank established Shade Tree Farm Trakehner Station in Bath, Ohio, imported horse breeding stock from Canada and Poland, and managed a successful horse breeding program for twenty years. In 1974, they established the North American Trakehner Association to promote the Polish Trakehner sport horse. In 1979, they established the Dymar Advertising Agency, the first agency in Ohio to specialize in equine marketing. As a result of their work, the Polish Trakehner has flourished in the United States and achieved national and international success in dressage, 3-day eventing, and show jumping competitions. Along the way, they traveled the world and made many friends.

Throughout the 1990s, Margaret was a volunteer at the Akron General Medical Center, where she helped many people.

Despite these achievements, Margaret’s greatest pride and joy rested with her beloved family.  Having taught her children to pursue their passions and develop their talents, all have achieved distinction in their various careers.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Anna and Charles Penzenik; brothers John Penzenik, Michael Penzenik, William Penzenik, and George Cilo; sister Irene Brady; husband Frank; and daughter Diana LaSalle.  She is survived by her daughters Toni LaSalle, Beckie LaSalle, Constance (David) Wyatt, and her son Frank J. (Khaing) LaSalle; grandchildren Mileana (Mark) Masa; Melissa (Brian) Peterson, Matthew (Jodi) Broadwater, Maggie (Jeff) Smith, John Greco, Aaron (Jen) Sanders, Phillip (Sara) Sanders, Ariel Wyatt, Andrew Wyatt, Frank LaSalle, Emerson LaSalle, and Heath LaSalle; ten great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Elaine Penzenik; many nieces and nephews; and many friends. The family thanks Judy Wilhite who provided Margaret with friendship and support in recent years, as well as Margaret’s neighbors at Park Place for their help and kindness.

Private services will be held at Moore’s Chapel Cemetery, with a memorial for family and friends at a later date.  The Billow Funeral Homes Fairlawn Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.