Margaret Fandrich

Margaret M. Fandrich, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg following a brief illness. She was born the daughter of Clayton J. and Olive (Earl) Lewis on September 4, 1920 in Lancaster. She attended school in Fennimore and graduated from Milwaukee State Teacher's College. After graduation she taught kindergarten in Stoughton and Lancaster. She was united in marriage to Walter J. Fandrich December 31, 1942. Margaret was a stay at home mother but after her children were grown she returned to school at the University of Arizona to renew her teacher's license and was a substitute teacher in the Madison public schools. Margaret had a special gift for communicating with little children, always with loving acceptance, respect for their special personalities, encouraging them and always enjoying them. Children responded to her with trust and openness and adults enjoyed watching that "magic" work. Margaret and Walter enjoyed 17 winters in Arizona after his retirement where they golfed, played bridge, and hosted many visitors for whom they generously became Arizona guides. Margaret is survived by her children; Mary (Gene) Blabaum, Madison, Jane (Richard) Poss, Waunakee, and James (Jean) Fandrich, Marshfield, grandchildren; Amy (Mark) Reineke, Jason (Rebecca) Meyer, Jon (Tiffany) Meyer, and great-grandchildren; Emma and Erik Reineke, Riley and Logan Meyer, and James and Mitchell Meyer, a sister; Winnifred Hutchison, Madison, and several nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J. Fandrich, and a grandson, Michael R. Kraemer. A private graveside service will be held at Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore. Memorials may be made in Margaret's name to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Madison, WI 53711.