Margaret L. Kiel, 90, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Elroy.
She was born March 4, 1924, to Paul and Eva (Buchholz) Grawin in the town of Wellington. She was baptized April 6, 1924, and confirmed Aug. 1, 1937, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. She was a member of the Kendall High School graduating class of 1941.
Margaret was united in marriage to Robert “Butch” Kiel on Nov. 22, 1944, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on South Ridge. He preceded her in death July 14, 2002. Together they farmed in the town of Glendale until April 1971. She then went to work for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro as a nursing assistant and later for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tomah as a nursing assistant for 10 years.
She was a past member of the Sutcliffe Corners Homemakers and the Kendall Firettes. Margaret enjoyed working with her hands, sewing, needlework, and cooking. She will always be remembered for her chocolate chip cookies and Christmas candies. She enjoyed working outside in her garden, and taking car rides through the country.
She had a great love for her grandchildren, and was always involved in their lives. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Margaret had a determined personality and always made the best out of any situation and enjoyed her life to the fullest. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
She is survived by a daughter, Betty (Mark) Henthorne of Kendall; three sons, Rex (Mary) of Kendall, John (Jody) of Oakdale and Tony (Pat) of Sparta; nine grandchildren, Melanie Kiel, Melissa Kiel, Rachel (Steve) Lyga, Jackie Kiel, Jordan Kiel, Erin (Brian) Koetz, Stephanie (Brendan) Ingenthron, Andy (his fiancée Mac McCann) and Logan (special friend Blake Weber) Henthorne; 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Beatrice Burkhalter of Oregon; and nieces, a nephew, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Wayne Robert; an infant brother, Carl; a sister, Gladys Mullen; a nephew, Gale Burkhalter; a sister-in-law, Veronica “Sis” Hansen; and a brother-in-law, Frank Mullen.
A funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kendall. Pastor Steven Neuman will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Kendall.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Monday from 4-8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
