Surnames: Johnson, Hammond, Hesselschwardt, Rosas, Saul, Felce, Corbett

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co. WI.) February 18, 2009

Johnson, Margaret L. (1 October 1932 –10 February 2009)

Margaret L. Johnson, 76, of Neillsville passed away peacefully surrounded by family Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in the care of the Clark County Health Care Center and Ministry Hospice Services in Owen. Margaret suffered a stroke in 2002 and worked determinedly for several years to overcome the after-effects and further complications.

Margaret was born Oct. 1, 1932, in Kewaunee, the daughter of Jerome and Lillian Hammond. She attended school in Lena (Oconto County) and later moved to Waushara County where she graduated from Spees Corner School.

In 1947 Margaret secured employment through correspondence with the Kurt Marg Fur Farm. At the age of 15, she arrived by bus to start her new life in Neillsville. Little did Margaret know that already employed at the Marg Farm was her, to be, cherished husband of 58 years, Lyall E. Johnson. Lyall and Margaret were married June 18, 1950, at the Evangelical Reformed Church in Neillsville. They resided in a home on the Marg Farm for several years, and during this time they were blessed with two children, Glenn and Gail. In 1959 they purchased land near Snyder Dam and built their own lifetime home.

The gift of a selfless, caring nature made Margaret well suited for her 25-year career as a nursing assistant at the Neillsville Memorial Nursing Home, starting at the old hospital on State Street. Over the years, Margaret was also employed at the Silver Dome Supper Club and the Wildcat Inn.

Many interests and activities kept Margaret busy over the years: Pine Valley Homemakers, leadership roles in local 4-H clubs, Sunday school teacher at the United Church of Christ and Neillsville Saddle Tramps. Her favorite leisure activities were her flowers and gardening, sewing, horses, her well-loved kitties, traveling and camping, but nothing was more important to Margaret than her family.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Lyall; her children Glenn (Cathy) Johnson of Eau Claire and Gail (Tim) Hesselschwardt of Augusta; two sisters, Geraldine (Carlos) Rosas of Phoenix, AZ, and Irene (Robert) Saul of Cumberland. Margaret was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Felce of St. Paul, MN, Jeremie (Jennifer) Johnson of Arlington, Michael Johnson of Eau Claire and Jennifer (Josh) Corbett of Eau Claire and her great-grandchildren, Liam (Amy and Jeff) Felce and Payton (Jeremie and Jennifer) Johnson.

Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Jerome, and mother, Lillian.

Margaret’s family would like to say "Thank You" to the staff of the Clark County Health Care Center, Ministry Hospice Services, Neillsville Memorial Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.

A memorial service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held Feb. 21, 2009, at the United Church of Christ, 515 W. 2nd St. Neillsville. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by the service.