Margaret Ellen Cushman

Margaret's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m CT on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

There are two ways to join the Live Webcast:  

     1. Scroll down to the Events, under the Livestream Service click on "Watch Event"  

            or

     2. Click on tribute wall (above) and click on "Live Webcast"   

VERMONT TOWNSHIP - Margaret (Schlough) Cushman was born on Jan. 1, 1934, to Katherine (Schultz) Schlough and Algie Schlough. She grew up in rural Arena on the farm homesteaded by her grandparents. Margaret was the fourth of seven children. She spent her childhood picking apples from the orchard in the backyard, bringing the cows home for the night, and working at her mother’s side in the kitchen. Mom attended Mounds Creek Grade School through eighth grade, and then Arena High School, where she graduated in 1952.

During her high school years, she learned to sew and cook, enjoyed hanging out with her friends, Rosie, JoAnn, and Jessie Joyce, and attended sporting events, dances, and county fairs. She met her husband, Donald Lavern Cushman, at the Iowa County fair in Mineral Point. They began a long-distance friendship while he served four years in the U.S. Navy. They were married at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Mazomanie on Sept. 24, 1955. They lived in the Cross Plains/ Mazomanie / Black Earth area until they purchased their first and only home in Vermont Township.

Mom attended Madison Business College after high school graduation, returning after her family had grown to complete her associate degree in business administration. She worked outside the home until dad began his business, then mom started doing his books. She continued to do so until they retired.

Mom was an amazing cook. She loved to sew, crochet, play the piano, quilt, work in her gardens, and read. She raised a vegetable garden and liked to can and share her produce. Mom became an expert at being a fixer-upper.  She could tear down a shed, cut brush, taxi her children to ball games, practices, or work, and have supper on the table every night at 5:00.  In retirement mom and dad traveled to both coasts, and many places in between. They loved spending time at their cottage near Lake Arbutus in Hatfield. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, making their favorite foods, playing cards and board games, being silly, and laughing.

Margaret died on Monday, March 6, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 65 years, Donald Lavern; daughter, Monica Cushman Moore; siblings, Benjamin, Richard, David and Betty Ann; and her extended family, Patricia Schlough, Douglas Brown, Elden Cushman and Harold Cushman.

Margaret is survived by her four children, Lawrence (Mary) Cushman, Julie Cushman, Mark (Karla) Cushman and Scott Cushman; seven grandchildren, Patrick (Kelsey) Cushman, Joe Cushman, Dominic (Erika Kiesling) Moore, David (Ashley Robison) Moore, Melinda (Ryan Kessler) Moore, Christopher (Katie) Moore and Thalassa (Zack) Cooper; and eight great-grandchildren, Cameron, Rowan, Danielle, Quinn, Easton, Reagan, Landen, and Gracelynn.

She is further survived by her sisters, Mary (Jerry) Gust and Carol Cowley; and her extended family, Audrey Cushman, Donna Cushman and Ronald (Sandra) Cushman; her son-in-law, Michael Moore; and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret was a member of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. There was nothing that made her feel more at home than being at church with her family and listening to the hymns and praying the Mass. In her last hours, even though she held no beads, she fingered them while the Rosary was prayed.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023, with Father Bart Timmerman presiding.  Family and friends who wish to view services via LIVE STREAM may visit Margaret’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. There will be a light luncheon in the social hall after the Mass. Burial will be in St. Barnabas Catholic Cemetery, Mazomanie.

Memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Black Earth

Funeral & Cremation Care

1710 Center St.

(608) 767-3684