Margaret D. Franckowiak passed away on Sept 18, 2018 at the Aster Assisted Living facility in Marshfield. Visitation will be on Friday Sept 21 from 5-7 pm at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield. The funeral Mass will be held at St John’s Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday Sept 22. Burial at St Adalbert’s Cemetery in the town of McMillan, Marathon County, will follow the Mass.
Margaret is survived by her four children, Jerry (Bernie) of Ham Lake, MN; Peter (Karolyn) of Marshfield, WI; Susan Rendall (Douglas) of Lawrence, KS; and Sara Gabel (Steven) of Golden Valley, MN, 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Fern and Beatrice, brother Joe, and in 1995 her husband Donald.
Margaret Dorothy (Jost) Franckowiak was born November 9, 1917 to Peter and Elizabeth (Bessie Bonnett) Jost in Hilbert, WI. Her parents moved the family to a farm near Stratford, WI in 1919. She attended a one-room school in the Town of Eau Pleine for seven years. Sixth grade was spent at a Catholic school in Oshkosh, where she stayed with her beloved grandmother Pauline Bonnett.
Margaret graduated from Stratford High School in 1935, then attended Central State Teachers College in Stevens Point for two years and received a teaching diploma. For four years, she taught all 8 grades in the one-room Upham School, Town of Frankfort.
Margaret married Donald Franckowiak on May 26, 1942. Four children, Jerry, Peter, Susan and Sara were born to this union of 53 years. Her skills helped build their successful farm for 39 years.
In the 1950s and 60s Margaret was an active leader in the Eau Pleine Jets 4-H Club. For decades, she gave gentle guidance to club members, her own children and grandchildren as they worked on their fair projects.
Don and Margaret retired from farming in 1981 and moved to a new house in Marshfield. They were enthusiastic exhibitors and volunteers at the Marshfield Fair, and played pool and cards at the Marshfield Senior Center. She was active for years at many levels in the Marathon County Homemakers Clubs. Margaret volunteered at the Senior Craft Shop for 32 years and sold her handmade items there.
By 2013 Margaret decided to move away from her apartment and her garden. At the Aster Assisted Living facility she continued to create knitted dishcloths, blankets for great-grandchildren, and mounds of crocheted pot scrubbers. A jigsaw puzzle was often spread out on her table, and her crossword puzzle needed to be finished daily. She enjoyed playing Chinese checkers and cards every evening with her son Peter, frequently winning his pennies.
Margaret touched many people in her 100 years, and her family is fortunate to have had this remarkable lady in their lives. She was the rock of the family and loved life and learning new things. She will be greatly missed.
Her family would like to thank the staff at the Aster for the care and attention she received while there and the nurses of Heartland Hospice for making her last days comfortable. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that donations be directed to St. John’s Catholic Church or a favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
