Margret Lemieux was born in Ecorse, Wayne, Michigan on August 30, 1923 to Alfred and Lula (Marentette) Lemieux. She attended St. Alphonse elementary school to the eight grade and graduated from Windsor High School, Windsor, Canada. Lemieux lived in Detroit Michigan, worked at the Hotel Statler, was crowned Miss Detroit River, and was a representative for the Life Saver Candy Company as a promoter prior to 1944. Lemieux entered the service on January 29, 1944, and was stationed at Fort Sheridan, IL. where she worked as a clerk in the court martial section. She met Charles Shaver, a Captain in the Army while they both were stationed at Fort Sheridan.  They married, moved to Kansas living in Charles' home town, and had four children.