Margaret K. Brynelson

                MADISON - Margaret K. Brynelson, age 88, died on Monday, October 11, 2010, at Oakwood Village West.  She was born in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 1922, the daughter of George S. and Viola M. (Jackson) King.  Margaret graduated in 1944 from Texas Women's University, Denton, TX with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics.
                 While vacationing at her parents' summer home in Maryland, Margaret met Floyd Brynelson, who was attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  They were married in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 1944.  Floyd and Margaret made their first home in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where Floyd was stationed in the Navy. 
                They moved to Madison in 1947 where they raised a family of six children.  While the three youngest were still at home, Margaret decided to earn another Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin.  She continued her studies in communications, earning a Master of Arts Degree in cable television regulation at age 62. 
                Margaret was a devoted, life-long Christian and an active member of First Baptist Church since 1950.  She was a progressive advocate of social justice, who founded FBC's Youth Month--recruiting students from Madison's high schools to speak in Sunday services every February.  This annual series of services eventually became a regular part of the church's youth ministry. 
                Margaret had a vibrant, outgoing, kind and compassionate personality with many interests.  She enjoyed flower gardening (especially roses), walks outside, pet birds and cats, playing Bridge with friends, music, theatrical productions, dancing with Floyd, and traveling the world with him and family.  Highlights included Kenya, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Hawaii, Alaska, the Panama Canal and Uruguay, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil South America. 
                Margaret's children and grandchildren will forever treasure and appreciate her loving, nurturing, gracious and encouraging nature, the enduring values she instilled in them, and the exemplary person she was.  We will miss her sweet and gentle spirit. 
                Margaret is survived by her six children: Wade (Nancy) of Sacramento, California, Paul (Jung) of Madison, Laura Rivera of Madison, Steve of Middleton, David (Rebecca) of Oregon, and Julia (Fred Romero) of Sacramento, California; four grandchildren, Roberto (Jennifer), Gregory (Sarah), Nicholas and Jonathan.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Floyd, a grandson, Gabriel Rivera, and her parents. 
                A Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at  FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 518 N. Franklin Avenue, with Reverend Mark Clinger officiating.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010, at CRESS Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, and again from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., prior to the funeral service at church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church.  
                The family extends their deep appreciation to all of the Oakwood Village staff members who gave such compassionate and professional care of Margaret while she lived at Oakwood the past four and a half years.  

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service