Surnames: Haugen, Baumgartner, Zech, Sweeney, Stucki, Mohr, Zank

----Source: Clark County Press, (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) March 5, 2008

Haugen, Margareth Nina (25 April 1916 - 26 February 2008)

Margareth Haugen, 91, formerly of Neillsville, died Tuesday, February 26, 2008, surrounded by her children, at the St. Anthony Park Home in St. Paul, MN.

Margareth Nina Haugen was born April 25, 1916, in Honey Creek Township in Sauk County, the daughter of Martin and Nina (Baumgartner) Zech. After graduating from Prairie du Sac High School in 1937, she studied for two years at the Madison Business School and worked several years in Madison.

While living in Madison, Margareth heard Rev. Ben Stucki share about the Winnebago Children’s Home in Neillsville. She felt inspired to be a part of the school and moved to Neillsville to become the bookkeeper at the school.

Margareth was untied in marriage to Hiram Haugen September 21, 1949, in Neillsville. They farmed north of Neillsville and raised their three children. Margareth loved being a wife and mother and enjoyed her home, gardening and sewing.

Margareth also went back to work for the Winnebago Children’s Home, later Sunburst Youth Homes, for many years.

She was very active in the Pine Valley Homemakers Club and the United Church of Christ where she was a Sunday school teacher for four-year-olds for many years.

In 1971 they sold the farm and moved into town. Margareth enjoyed getting together with her neighbors for weekly coffee, going to Bible Study, being a part of the UCC Sewing Circle and volunteering at the memorial Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop.

Margareth will be lovingly missed by her family and remembered for her volunteering heart.

She is survived by a daughter, Nina (Mike) Sweeney of St. Paul, MN; two sons, Paul (Diane) Haugen of La Crescent, MN, and John (Julie) Haugen of Andover, MN; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lawrence Zech of Sauk City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a granddaughter, Gretta; and three brothers, Arnold, Herman and William.

Funeral services for Margareth were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor James Mohr officiated. Providing music was Eileen Zank. A special music selection, "Grandma’s Song," was played on the piano by her grandson, Isaac Haugen. Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 216 Sunset Place, Neillsville, WI 54456 and the Circle of Friends at UCC, 515 W. 2nd St. Neillsville, WI 54456

The Gesche funeral Home of Neillsville assisted Margareth’s family with arrangements.