Margaret H. Swanson

Margaret H. Swanson, 95, of 12090 22ndAve., Chippewa Falls, village of Lake Hallie, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2016 at her residence under the care of St. Josephs Hospice surrounded by her loving family after having suffered a stroke in December. Margaret was born September 26, 1920 in Cottage Grove, Minn., to Emma (McManus) and Edward Voelker. On December 3, 1939, she married Elmo "Skip" Swanson in Iowa. She and Skip spent many years in Hastings, Minn. on the Mississippi River where they would raise their 9 children before moving to Wisconsin in 1961. Margaret was a hard worker and was proud of the fact that she instilled this trait in her children. While living in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Skip and Margaret owned a bar that served fish frys every Friday night. She made everything from scratch and people would come from miles around just to get her homemade beans and potato salad. In 1965, Margaret and her family moved to Chippewa Falls. Margaret was very proud of the fact that she was the first woman hired at Amoco Plastics. She worked at a job she loved for 20 years as a Lead Packer and retired in 1985. After retirement, her passion became her flower garden. Nothing made her happier than spending hours planting and weeding her garden. Often people driving by would stop and ask to walk through the yard. Many evenings were spent on the deck, just enjoying it. Margaret was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren. She hosted a Christmas party every year which required renting the Hallie Town Hall to hold everyone. She spent many hours shopping for just the right gifts.Margaret will be dearly missed by her children, Ron (Julie) Swanson of Sarona, Gary (Mitzi) Swanson of St. Paul, Minn., Don (fianc, Betty) Swanson of Chippewa Falls, Terry (Nita) Swanson of Eau Claire, Vicki (Scott) Denning of Hudson and Ricki (Al) Blaeser of Sarona; as well as her 21 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren and 25 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Skip; two daughters, Sandy and Cindy; one son, Randy; and one grandson, Mark. Also preceding her in death are her parents; and 7 siblings. Funeral services will be held at Noon Monday, April 11 at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home in Hastings, MN, at 201 East Seventh St. The Rev. Cole Kracke will be officiating. Interment will be in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery in Hastings. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at Noon Monday, April 11 at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home in Hastings, MN, 55033. Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls is assisting the family with local arrangements. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.horanfuneralhome.com