Margaret Harried

Margaret ""Peggy"" Mary Fenton Harried, born June 17, 1926, passed away on November 29, 2009, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. While the cancer finally took her body, it never conquered her spirit, and she remained resolute in her fight against this dreaded disease. Margaret was assisted in this struggle by her husband and best friend of 65 years, her adult children, grandchildren and her many good friends and neighbors. Like most wives, mothers and grandmothers, she was loving and caring, always doing for others without expecting anything in return. During the course of her life, Margaret nurtured her siblings after the death of her mother, and along with her husband, raised three children. Nothing was more important to Margaret than the health and welfare of her family, as she continued her loving ways with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always teaching them to respect themselves, respect other people and treat them fairly. Margaret's contributions to others extended beyond her family as evidenced by her long employment at the Nazareth House in Stoughton, where she enjoyed helping the elderly and made their lives as full and rich as possible. After retiring from the Nazareth House, she found herself returning to work, as the need arose and the nuns requested her help. Margaret was out-going, personable and possessed a keen sense of humor. She enjoyed cooking, bowling, reading, walking with friends and neighbors at Kensington Square, participating in family debates and Saturday night card club with lifelong family friends. Margaret is survived by her husband and best friend, Olin Sr.; her three adult children, Olin Jr. (Sue), David (Beth) and Nancy (Tom) Egerer; grandchildren, Kelly (Rick) Rietow, Kim (Allen) Zaudtke, Kerry Harried, Matt (Lina) Collins, Michelle (Brent) Barness, Veronica (Chase) Harried, Jon Harried and Kyle and Colin Egerer. She is further survived by great-grandchildren, Katie and Madison Rietow. Extended survivors include the adopted family of her youth, Marge (Jim) Shaw, Jean (Sid) Cachette and Donna (Franny) Butler. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Bridgette (Quill) Fenton; her siblings, John and Patrick Fenton and her younger sister, Kathyrn Johnson. She was further preceded in death by her adopted parents, Walter and Anna Wilheme. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 310 E. Washington Street, Stoughton, with the Rev. Richard Halom officiating. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon, immediately following the services. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at OLSON-HOLZHUTER-CRESS FUNERAL HOME, Stoughton, and from 10 a.m., until the time of services at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare Inc., 3001 Memorial Drive, Janesville, Wis., 53548. On behalf of Margaret's family, we would like to thank Dr. Connor and the UW staff for their supportive and professional care. The family would like to thank Margaret's friends and neighbors, for their support, and the staff of HospiceCare, for their compassionate care and end of life support.