TOLONO — Always a lovely person inside and out, Margaret Ostrom passed away in Mattoon after struggling with dementia for several years.
Margaret was born in rural Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 12, 1918, to Mary and Robert Steingreaber. The third of seven children, she had many responsibilities helping raise her younger siblings after her mother’s death when Margaret was just 13. She later moved to Burlington and took on domestic jobs, building her skills as a great cook, seamstress, caregiver and wicked card player.
WWII came along, and dancing was her favorite pastime. Margaret often told the story of going to a dance with her friends when a tall, handsome young man asked her to dance. Percy and Margaret married. They were partners for the rest of their lives. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in the Mariana Islands. As many women did at the time, she supported the war effort by working at the Burlington Instrument Company.
Percy returned safely, and they started farming. Then I came along. We lived just south of Galva. Farming lasted until the mid-50s when they agreed to sell their livestock and equipment and moved on for better opportunities with the Soil Conservation Service. Both were hardworking and made sure I got a college degree.
Percy and Margaret loved to travel, and every summer, tent and trailer expeditions were carefully planned. This love of the outdoors continued into retirement when they bought property in Zapata, Texas, to get away from the cold Illinois winters. They enjoyed making new friends, walking, golfing and oil painting. After a time, driving to Texas was no longer realistic for them. An exceptional caregiver, Margaret took care of Percy at their home in Tolono until his death in 2010.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Patricia; grandson, Andrew, and his wife, Katyna; and two great-grandchildren. All live in Portland, Ore.
Margaret was an exceptional woman, and I hope her spirit lives on through the remaining family. Rest in peace, Mom. We’ll miss you terribly. Say “hi” to Dad when you see him.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tolono, with the Rev. Fredi Gomeztorres officiating. Burial will be in Center Prairie Cemetery, Williamsfield. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, is assisting with arrangements.
Margaret was born in rural Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 12, 1918, to Mary and Robert Steingreaber. The third of seven children, she had many responsibilities helping raise her younger siblings after her mother’s death when Margaret was just 13. She later moved to Burlington and took on domestic jobs, building her skills as a great cook, seamstress, caregiver and wicked card player.
WWII came along, and dancing was her favorite pastime. Margaret often told the story of going to a dance with her friends when a tall, handsome young man asked her to dance. Percy and Margaret married. They were partners for the rest of their lives. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in the Mariana Islands. As many women did at the time, she supported the war effort by working at the Burlington Instrument Company.
Percy returned safely, and they started farming. Then I came along. We lived just south of Galva. Farming lasted until the mid-50s when they agreed to sell their livestock and equipment and moved on for better opportunities with the Soil Conservation Service. Both were hardworking and made sure I got a college degree.
Percy and Margaret loved to travel, and every summer, tent and trailer expeditions were carefully planned. This love of the outdoors continued into retirement when they bought property in Zapata, Texas, to get away from the cold Illinois winters. They enjoyed making new friends, walking, golfing and oil painting. After a time, driving to Texas was no longer realistic for them. An exceptional caregiver, Margaret took care of Percy at their home in Tolono until his death in 2010.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Patricia; grandson, Andrew, and his wife, Katyna; and two great-grandchildren. All live in Portland, Ore.
Margaret was an exceptional woman, and I hope her spirit lives on through the remaining family. Rest in peace, Mom. We’ll miss you terribly. Say “hi” to Dad when you see him.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tolono, with the Rev. Fredi Gomeztorres officiating. Burial will be in Center Prairie Cemetery, Williamsfield. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, is assisting with arrangements.
TOLONO — Always a lovely person inside and out, Margaret Ostrom passed away in Mattoon after struggling with dementia for several years.
Margaret was born in rural Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 12, 1918, to Mary and Robert Steingreaber. The third of seven children, she had many responsibilities helping raise her younger siblings after her mother’s death when Margaret was just 13. She later moved to Burlington and took on domestic jobs, building her skills as a great cook, seamstress, caregiver and wicked card player.
WWII came along, and dancing was her favorite pastime. Margaret often told the story of going to a dance with her friends when a tall, handsome young man asked her to dance. Percy and Margaret married. They were partners for the rest of their lives. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in the Mariana Islands. As many women did at the time, she supported the war effort by working at the Burlington Instrument Company.
Percy returned safely, and they started farming. Then I came along. We lived just south of Galva. Farming lasted until the mid-50s when they agreed to sell their livestock and equipment and moved on for better opportunities with the Soil Conservation Service. Both were hardworking and made sure I got a college degree.
Percy and Margaret loved to travel, and every summer, tent and trailer expeditions were carefully planned. This love of the outdoors continued into retirement when they bought property in Zapata, Texas, to get away from the cold Illinois winters. They enjoyed making new friends, walking, golfing and oil painting. After a time, driving to Texas was no longer realistic for them. An exceptional caregiver, Margaret took care of Percy at their home in Tolono until his death in 2010.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Patricia; grandson, Andrew, and his wife, Katyna; and two great-grandchildren. All live in Portland, Ore.
Margaret was an exceptional woman, and I hope her spirit lives on through the remaining family. Rest in peace, Mom. We’ll miss you terribly. Say “hi” to Dad when you see him.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tolono, with the Rev. Fredi Gomeztorres officiating. Burial will be in Center Prairie Cemetery, Williamsfield. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, is assisting with arrangements.
Margaret was born in rural Burlington, Iowa, on Sept. 12, 1918, to Mary and Robert Steingreaber. The third of seven children, she had many responsibilities helping raise her younger siblings after her mother’s death when Margaret was just 13. She later moved to Burlington and took on domestic jobs, building her skills as a great cook, seamstress, caregiver and wicked card player.
WWII came along, and dancing was her favorite pastime. Margaret often told the story of going to a dance with her friends when a tall, handsome young man asked her to dance. Percy and Margaret married. They were partners for the rest of their lives. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served in the Mariana Islands. As many women did at the time, she supported the war effort by working at the Burlington Instrument Company.
Percy returned safely, and they started farming. Then I came along. We lived just south of Galva. Farming lasted until the mid-50s when they agreed to sell their livestock and equipment and moved on for better opportunities with the Soil Conservation Service. Both were hardworking and made sure I got a college degree.
Percy and Margaret loved to travel, and every summer, tent and trailer expeditions were carefully planned. This love of the outdoors continued into retirement when they bought property in Zapata, Texas, to get away from the cold Illinois winters. They enjoyed making new friends, walking, golfing and oil painting. After a time, driving to Texas was no longer realistic for them. An exceptional caregiver, Margaret took care of Percy at their home in Tolono until his death in 2010.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Patricia; grandson, Andrew, and his wife, Katyna; and two great-grandchildren. All live in Portland, Ore.
Margaret was an exceptional woman, and I hope her spirit lives on through the remaining family. Rest in peace, Mom. We’ll miss you terribly. Say “hi” to Dad when you see him.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Tolono, with the Rev. Fredi Gomeztorres officiating. Burial will be in Center Prairie Cemetery, Williamsfield. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Freese Funeral Home, Tolono, is assisting with arrangements.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Ostrom or Steingreaber memorials in:
- Center Prairie Cemetery Ostrom or Steingreaber
- Victoria Ostrom or Steingreaber
- Knox County Ostrom or Steingreaber
- Illinois Ostrom or Steingreaber
- USA Ostrom or Steingreaber
- Find a Grave Ostrom or Steingreaber
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
