Margaret E Waller
October 25, 1933 - October 31, 2021
Obituary
MIDDLETON - Margaret Eleanor (McLaughlin) Waller died on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at Attic Angel Community in Middleton, Wis. She was 88 years of age.
Margaret was born in Blue Earth, Minn., on Oct. 25, 1933. She was the daughter of Owen Leo McLaughlin and Adeline Elizabeth Zingheim. Margaret married George Alfred Waller on Sept. 6, 1954, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton, N.D.
Margaret obtained her degree as a Registered Nurse from the St. Cloud (Minn.) School of Nursing and had a long career in the health care field as a nurse in a variety of hospital and clinic settings from Columbia, S.C., to Helena and Glendive, Mont., to Grand Forks, N.D., where she lived with her husband George for 52 years. She was part of a delegation of nurses and other health care professionals from North Dakota and Minnesota that visited China in the early 1980s. She also taught students seeking certification as nursing assistants at the Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, Minn., before her retirement.
Margaret had an insatiable curiosity and zest for life. She enjoyed a wide variety of activities and hobbies. She loved books and music, swimming at the lake, cross country skiing, long walks and bike rides, and genealogy, as well as wide-ranging conversations with friends and family. Margaret enjoyed playing bridge and games of all kinds and spent many hours, often late into the night, sewing, crafting and quilting.
Margaret is survived by her husband of 67 years, George; sons and daughters-in-law, George (Judith), Mark (Kate), Mike (JoLayne), Greg (Bobbi), Thomas (Angelique), Jeremy (Libby) and John (Rachael); daughters and sons-in-law, Nadine Rood (Michael) and Paulette Rodriguez (Jose); 24 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sisters, Kathleen, Joan and Patricia; and brothers, Michael and Robert. She was preceded in death by her parents (Owen 1948; Adeline 1996); brother, Owen (1984); and sisters, Mary (1994) and Elizabeth (2003).
In keeping with her wishes, Margaret will be laid to rest in a quiet and private “green” burial graveside service at the FARLEY CENTER’S NATURAL PATH SANCTUARY, 2299 Spring Rose Road, Verona, WI, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at 3 p.m. A memorial gathering of family and invited guests in celebration of Margaret’s life and legacy will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Farley Center or to the Attic Angel Place Employee Appreciation Fund, Attic Angel Association, 640 Junction Road, Madison WI 53717. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
“…I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow- white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.”
-From Birches by Robert Frost
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
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Memories
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Emily
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Shared a photo.
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Scott Anderson
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Condolences to the Waller family, my mom,Yvonne, was also on the China trip and always spoke how much fun they had together. Hi to Mike and Greg, it's been a while.
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Allison
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The beautiful quilt you made me for high school graduation. I bring it out each Spring. <3
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Duane Christenson
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I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Margaret, your wife and mother. She was a beautiful soul who I did not know as well George. Grieving the loss of a loved one is such a personal process. All I can offer is my most sincere condolences. I have been thinking a lot about you, George, and Margaret as I drove by your home in Grand Forks almost daily this summer, wondering where you were and what you were doing. Your memories of Margaret will be with you always. Thank you George for being a wonderful teaching colleague and friend. All my best to your family.
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Ilene Sherlock
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What a good friend Margaret was. From our trip to China,working together, being at the lake together, quilting retreats plus so many other great memories. God bless the memory of Margaret Waller. Ilene and Carl Sherlock
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Sheila Sturlaugson
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Margaret and I met when I took the CNA course to go on to become an LPN. She reappeared in my life when I was working at The Rehab. She was a joy to be around and she was a hard worker. There was no grass growing under her feet, because she was on the go all of the time. She had a beautiful smile and she used it often! She was respected, but she was always pleasant. Her patient’s loved her and she will be missed by all that knew her. I am so sorry for your loss. She was very proud of all of her family and she talked about you often.