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1925
Margaret
2013
Margaret Brainard
June 21, 1925 — June 1, 2013
Margaret A. Brainard, 87, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 5th, at 11:00 AM at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, IA, with Rev. Richard Iles officiating. Burial will be at Postville Cemetery, Postville. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Margaret Arlene Brainard was born June 21, 1925, near Rossville, IA, the daughter of Paul and Marie (Ralston) Tomlinson. She was baptized and confirmed at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, IA, and attended Waukon, IA, area schools; in 1991, Margaret earned her GED. On December, 5, 1942, she married Charles Gordon Brainard at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. She was a very dedicated farmwife and mother, looking after eight children and doing whatever needed to be done. This included baking bread, spending hours tending the vegetable gardens, and canning. One year Margaret canned over 1000 jars. In 1977, Margaret moved to Forest City, IA, where she worked for Winnebago; she moved back to the Waukon area in 1980. Over the years she lived with her children, wherever she was needed. Margaret had an apartment in Decorah, IA, but due to declining health, she moved to Wellington Place in Decorah and then to the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.
She was a lifelong member of the Forest Mills Church. She was active in the women's group, taught Bible School, and belonged to the Post-Franklin Study Club. She loved to fish, especially for trout, and had a lifetime license. Margaret thoroughly enjoyed nature, whether it was picking berries or teaching her kids the names of flowers. Being very enthusiastic, Margaret was always ready and willing to go on an adventure. She will be remembered for always having a hug for everybody.
Margaret's family is forever indebted to Wellington Place in Decorah, the Waukon Good Samaritan Center and the Prairie du Chien Hospice for the loving care they gave to their mom.
Margaret is survived by her seven children: George (Kathy) of Monona, IA, Marian Watnem of East Moline, IL, Jeanann "Ali" Ralston of Minneapolis, MN, Harvey (Colleen) of Orlando, FL, Clinton (Sherrie) of Eitzen, MN, Neal (Lisa) of German Valley, IL, and Earl of Decorah; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister Myrtle Flores of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband Charles; son Gordon; grandson Michael Nienhaus; brothers: Kenneth and David Tomlinson; and sisters: Bessie Beard and Marian Pierce.
Casketbearers are George, Neal, Earl, and Evan Brainard, Marian Watnem, Hartley Enyart, and Hank and Lester Sass.
Margaret Arlene Brainard was born June 21, 1925, near Rossville, IA, the daughter of Paul and Marie (Ralston) Tomlinson. She was baptized and confirmed at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, IA, and attended Waukon, IA, area schools; in 1991, Margaret earned her GED. On December, 5, 1942, she married Charles Gordon Brainard at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. She was a very dedicated farmwife and mother, looking after eight children and doing whatever needed to be done. This included baking bread, spending hours tending the vegetable gardens, and canning. One year Margaret canned over 1000 jars. In 1977, Margaret moved to Forest City, IA, where she worked for Winnebago; she moved back to the Waukon area in 1980. Over the years she lived with her children, wherever she was needed. Margaret had an apartment in Decorah, IA, but due to declining health, she moved to Wellington Place in Decorah and then to the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.
She was a lifelong member of the Forest Mills Church. She was active in the women's group, taught Bible School, and belonged to the Post-Franklin Study Club. She loved to fish, especially for trout, and had a lifetime license. Margaret thoroughly enjoyed nature, whether it was picking berries or teaching her kids the names of flowers. Being very enthusiastic, Margaret was always ready and willing to go on an adventure. She will be remembered for always having a hug for everybody.
Margaret's family is forever indebted to Wellington Place in Decorah, the Waukon Good Samaritan Center and the Prairie du Chien Hospice for the loving care they gave to their mom.
Margaret is survived by her seven children: George (Kathy) of Monona, IA, Marian Watnem of East Moline, IL, Jeanann "Ali" Ralston of Minneapolis, MN, Harvey (Colleen) of Orlando, FL, Clinton (Sherrie) of Eitzen, MN, Neal (Lisa) of German Valley, IL, and Earl of Decorah; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister Myrtle Flores of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband Charles; son Gordon; grandson Michael Nienhaus; brothers: Kenneth and David Tomlinson; and sisters: Bessie Beard and Marian Pierce.
Casketbearers are George, Neal, Earl, and Evan Brainard, Marian Watnem, Hartley Enyart, and Hank and Lester Sass.
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