Margaret Louise (Hull) Johnson of Eau
Claire, age 83, died Monday June 28 at Syverson Lutheran Home. She
received wonderful care in her last weeks of life at Luther
Hospital and at Syverson's Emmaus Suite. Her family is deeply
appreciative.
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Margaret was born on June 18, 1927, to James and
Florence (Bretthauer) Hull in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. James was
a descendent of Henry Wolcott, who landed in New England with his
family in 1630. Florence was related through Swiss ancestors to
John Sutter, whose mill site in Sacramento, California was the
place where the 1848 gold rush began.
Margaret was strongly influenced by her father's work as a writer and managing editor of the Stevens Point Daily Journal, and her mother's early experience as a teacher of children who could neither speak nor hear. She was surrounded in her formative years by newspapers and books, some of which were gifts from her aunt Ruth Hull, an English and Latin teacher in Sheboygan, WI. Margaret also learned to play the piano, the flute, and the baritone horn. She earned numerous competitive awards for her musical ability. She enjoyed reading and good music all of her life. |
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Margaret earned a bachelor's degree in 1949 at Stevens Point State Teachers College, and taught English during her first year of teaching at the junior high school in Clintonville, WI. In the second year, she moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI to teach English at the senior high school. There, a colleague teacher arranged a blind date for her with an elementary teacher at Nekoosa, WI. Their acquaintance blossomed into love, and Margaret Hull married Rodney Johnson on June 7, 1952. Their marriage would last 58 years.
Marge and Rod had two children, Linda and Jay, and Marge quit teaching to become a homemaker. The family lived in Nekoosa for five years, then South Milwaukee, WI for eight years. During the South Milwaukee years, Marge played the baritone horn in the city marching band. The band was very active, marching almost every weekend throughout each summer season, including the big Fourth of July parade in Racine, WI. At the end of each season, the band took a bus tour to the city which hosted either the American Legion or the VFW convention. As a band member, Marge paraded in Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Miami, and New York City. One year, while in South Milwaukee, Marge taught fifth grade in Oak Creek, WI.
The Johnson family moved to Madison for three years, then to Eau Claire in 1967. There, Marge took Library Science courses, and served one year as a UWEC campus school librarian.
Over the years, Marge and her husband maintained their membership in the Congregational Church, singing in choirs and serving on committees. She especially enjoyed several years of service on a wedding committee, coaching and assisting young couples in the intricacies of ceremonial behavior. She always felt comfortable in the company of church friends, whether discussing religious or social issues, trading potluck recipes, or pondering the love of God.
Marge always loved reading, classical music, gardening, and travel. She traveled in all 50 states, in Canada and Mexico, in most of the western European countries, in Norway and Sweden, and in Japan and China. She enjoyed every minute of every trip. She kept the radio tuned to Wisconsin Public Radio for classical music and news. She learned to garden in pots on the deck, so that the deer couldn't eat all of her flowers. She attended concerts and recitals as often as possible. Margaret enjoyed a full life.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, James and Florence Hull, and by her aunt Ruth Hull. She is survived by her husband Rodney, her children Linda and Jay, and her sister Virginia Cade of Verona, WI.
A Memorial Service will be held in the sanctuary of First Congregational Church UCC, 310 Broadway St. Eau Claire, WI 54703 at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 1. Visitation of friends will begin at 1:00 PM at church. The Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini will officiate. Cremation ashes will be buried in the church's Memorial Garden immediately following the service. A reception will follow in the church's Ingram Hall.
In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to give memorials to the First Congregational Church music program, or to charities of their choice. Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may offer online condolences at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
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