Margaret Sousek, nee Richards, previously of Gresham, passed away on Dec. 25, 2013. She was born on April 11, 1916, the youngest daughter of George and Theresa (Schmidt) Richards, and grew up on the family farm.
On June 6, 1934, she married Victor and they began married life in Leopolis, where Victor worked in the bank while Margaret cared for the family and also provided room and board to local teachers to supplement the family income. Although these were times filled with hard work, she always recalled those early days fondly and maintained her friendships with the teachers who boarded with them for many years afterwards.
Margaret was typical of many women of her generation and stayed at home to care for her family of five children. And, like other wives of that era, she learned many skills, such as bread baking, gardening, canning vegetables and sewing through the local Homemakers Club. Despite the war restrictions on sugar and meat, she still created delicious desserts and hearty casseroles. Many said she was the best cook in Shawano County.
Raising a family during the war was a real test of a person’s resilience and creativity. In today’s world, almost everything needed can be bought somewhere. This was not true for Margaret’s generation. She gardened, canned, sewed and enjoyed every minute of it.
Margaret’s life revolved around her family, friends and community life in Gresham. She enjoyed bridge club, card parties with friends, and dance parties held in the friends’ homes. She was active in the Altar Society at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham and was a member of the Gresham Women’s Club. She was also an avid reader her entire life and considered learning new skills a pleasure.
In later years, she and Victor golfed daily both in the Gresham area and also in Florida, where they spent winters.
Margaret was very proud of her role as a wife, mother and grandmother. We were proud of her, too, and we all will miss her quick wit and the pleasure of her company.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Judy (Tom) Koslowske, of Orchard Park, N.Y.; her son, Samuel (Diette), of Gresham; her son, Terry (Ann), of New York City; and her son, Scott (Cindy), of Lakeville, Minn. Her grandchildren are Debby Rades, Dan Sousek, Jeff Sousek, Julie Schmidt, Jeff Koslowske, Mark Koslowske, Samuel V. Sousek II, Karalee Sousek, Reid Sousek, Kirkland Sousek, Nathanael Sousek, Elizabeth Sousek and Connie Sousek. Her family also includes great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Those who have gone before her are Victor, her husband of 66 years; her son, Leland; her parents, George and Theresa Richards; her brothers, Alfred and Ervin; and her sisters: Alice and Lorraine.
A private service for the family is planned for later, with no prior visitation.
Schroeder-Mickelson Funeral Service of Shawano is assisting the family with the service arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared at www.schroedermickelsonfuneralservice.com.
For the last few years, Margaret was a resident of the Cottages on Golden Pond in Shawano. The family would like to thank the staff at the Cottages’ Memory Care unit for their tender, loving care of our Mother. They helped make Margaret’s later years truly golden.
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