Margaret Lawler

Lawler, Margaret Rose MADISON - Margaret Rose Lawler, age 86, rejoined her heavenly Father and the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, surrounded by three generations of family. She was born to Arne and Hazel Lerwick on Feb. 7, 1921. Margaret was a 1938 graduate of Madison East High School and a 1942 graduate of St. Marys School of Nursing. She met her husband, Keith Lawler during World War II, when he was quarantined with measles and she was his nurse. It was a romance that would last a lifetime. They were married in 1943 and moved to Madison after the war. Margaret never met a baby she didnt love and together, she and Keith raised 10 children and fostered many more. A woman of boundless energy and generosity, Margaret worked as a registered nurse at St. Marys Hospital and then at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery. In addition to raising her family, she was an active member of St. Bernard Catholic Church on Atwood Avenue, Madison and was involved in many civic issues facing Madison during her life. Margarets life revolved around her loving husband, family and her faith. In addition to her devoted husband of 64 years, Keith Lawler (retired Captain, Madison Fire Department), she leaves the legacy which meant the world to her, children, Keith Jr. (Kathleen Clark), Stephen (Sharon), Philip (Charlene), Joseph (Pati), Kathleen Lemke (Mike), Jerome (Marilynn), Maureen Skonie (Greg), Therese (Danny Schenkoske), Donald (Jan) and Charles (Kathleen). No mention of Margaret would be complete without naming her grandchildren (Lawlers unless noted otherwise), Julie McNutt, Kari Walker, Kim Olivas, Steve Wiltrout, Jeffrey, Kelli, Jennifer Yelk, Ryan, Kim Parizo, David, Paul Lemke, Andrea Lemke, Jim Lemke, Angela Kussow, Tina Hornung and Elizabeth. A special blessing to her were her great-grandchildren, Molly, Charlie, Briant, Briana, McKenzie, Gabriel, Kassi, Kaylee, Kamryn, Preston, Zachary, Amber, Jade, Megan, Tyler and William. She is survived by her cherished siblings, brother, Richard and his wife, Sue Lerwick; sister, Delores Durtschi; and beloved aunt, Francis Briggs. She also leaves the mothers of five of her grandchildren, Anne, Dar, Betty and Cyndy; many nieces and nephews; and countless dear friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; and sister-in-law, Sister Briga. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Sinsinawa, WI, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Wisconsin Chapter, 1120 James Drive, Suite A, Hartland, WI 53029 or American Diabetes Association, 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 204, Madison, WI 53717. Many thanks to the support given to us by our other families at the Madison Fire Department, St. Marys Hospital, Chamomille II and the HospiceCare Center. "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."