Margaret Waters

Margaret Waters, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa died on Monday, October 31, 2005 at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa from complications from a fall. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2005 at the Frankville Presbyterian Church in Frankville, Iowa with Rev. Jim Walker officiating. Burial will be in the Frankville Community Cemetery, Frankville, Iowa Friends may call on Thursday, November 3, 2005 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10:00 a.m. at the church in on Friday morning. Margaret Jean (Strauch) Waters was born on December 15, 1917 the daughter of Richard and Georgia (Casper) Strauch in Elgin, Iowa. Margaret graduated from Elgin High School in 1936. During high school and after she graduated, she worked for her father at the Elgin Echo as a secretary and proofreader to the editor. Margaret married Keith Crawford Waters on June 23, 1939 at the Elgin Methodist Church. Margaret was a farm and housewife and kept busy raising their three children. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and art and received her Commercial Art Degree. She was active member at the First Presbyterian Church in Frankville, teaching Sunday and Bible school. She was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and secretary of the Whistlin’ Bit Saddle Club. After she moved to Decorah in 1965, Margaret volunteered at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Flower and Garden Club and Northeast Iowa Art Council. She served as local chairperson of the Republican Party, where she was active at the local state and national level. Margaret taught Sunday and Bible school at the Methodist Church. She received and award for distinguished achievement in the World Who’s Who of Women in 1982. Margaret enjoyed traveling, going to Community Concerts at Luther and was a very talented artist, painting many portraits over the years. She especially loved her neighborhood on Rural Avenue and loved Marlene Dwyer, who was a wonderful friend and neighbor. Margaret’s survivors include one son: Harry Waters, Auburn, WA; one daughter: Marsha Henning & husband Dean, Decorah, IA. One daughter-in-law: Judy (Waters) Barnhouse & husband Fred, Florida. One sister: Betty Schultz & husband Robert, Luana, IA. Seven grandchildren: Sherry (Bill) Bright, Sheila Lee Kelley, LeeAnn (Brad) Olson, Craig Keith (Janda) Waters, Ben Henning, Jacqlyn Henning and Tim Waters. Nine great grandchildren: Cody & Kasey Bright, Roger, Robert & Dillon Kelley, Ashley & Tasha Olson, Payton & Paige Waters. One great great granddaughter: Lilian Jo. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith in 1965, her son, Roger in 1972, one brother: Hugh Strauch and one sister: Kathryn “Kassy” Waters.