Margaret May (Emerson) REASONER

REASONER, EMERSON, HIAMS, HOLMES, KERCHEVAL, KASS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/7/2007 at 01:17:08

October 14, 2003

Margaret May Reasoner, died on Friday, October 3, 2003. Funeral services were held on Monday, October 6, 2003, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mike Druhl officiating. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Music was provided by Dona Cleveland, organist, JoAn Skyrme, pianist and Cyndy McNulty, soloist. Honorary bearer was Owen Bateson. Casket bearers were Charles Holmes, John Holmes, William Eliason, Bill Johnson, Art Benetti and Richard Bloemke.

Margaret Emerson, the youngest child of four siblings, was born on Mary 1, 1918 in Rowan, the daughter of Albert and Mabel (Hiams) Emerson. She graduated from the Rowan High school in 1936 where she was active in choir, girls basketball and various church activities. She attended the Gates Business College in Waterloo. On August 10, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Russell E. Reasoner at Arco, Minnesota. Margaret accompanied Russell for a time in his employment travels as an "extra board" for the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad. They made their home in Crystal Lake in 1941 when Russell became the depot agent. Margaret was employed as a secretary to the Superintendent of the Crystal Lake Schools and was very active in the community and her church. She served as president of the women's circle and sang in choir. In 1960 Russell, Margaret and their daughter, Pamela moved to Belmond. Margaret was employed with Bill Johnson's Lutheran Brotherhood Agency over 12 years before her retirement. After retirement Margaret and her husband enjoyed wintering in Arizona. Margaret was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter LV and served as an officer and president. She and Russell were active in the Methodist Church, the Methodist Youth Fellowship, various circles and other church activities. Margaret enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, crafts and had done some painting and drawing. Two of her fondest pastimes were flower gardening and Thursday afternoon picnics with her daughter. Margaret became a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center in December of 1994. She looked forward to participating in many activities including bingo and penny pitch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Ruth Holmes and Esther Kercheval; and brother, Edwin Emerson. Survivors include her daughter, Pamela Rae (John) Kass of Apple Valley, Minnesota; granddaughter, Christina Nicole Kass of Eagan, Minnesota; two brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.

©Belmond Independent 2003