Margaret Ann Svendsen

~~     Margaret Ann Svendsen, 89, passed away at Clare Bridge of Kenosha, WI on Saturday, February 1, 2014. She was born in Racine on August 5, 1924 the daughter of the late Charles and Cinda (nee: Hebert) Dorey of Somers.
     Margaret Ann was raised in Somers and worked at Dinges Hardware and Implement store in 1948 when she met Raymond C. Svendsen of Racine.  On May 28, 1949 they were united in marriage at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Racine.
     Margaret Ann was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.  Her involvement over the years included being a member of Sew & Sews, teaching Sunday School, serving with others to provide meals at funerals, being a lay reader – to name just a few.
     She was an avid bowler and in fact on her first date with Raymond they went bowling.  Margaret Ann and Raymond enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Ridge Runners Square Dance Club.  She also enjoyed camping with her family and friends from church.
     She raised four sons and enjoyed spending time with her family.  The family welcomed two foreign exchange students into their home; Mariano Vásquez of Santiago, Chile and Gianni Fumagalli of Milan, Italy.  Mariano, his wife Margarita and their children remain close members of the family today.
     Margaret Ann was a dedicated volunteer and she always helped where there was a need.  In raising her boys she was a member of the PTA, a Cub Scout Den Mother and active Room Mother.  She also volunteered at Winslow School for over 25 years as a 3rd grade helper.
     She enjoyed counted cross-stitch, gardening, canning, jelly-making and was an excellent baker.  She was a long suffering Chicago Cubs fan; an affliction she inherited from her mother, and enjoyed all sports.  She also enjoyed listening to the Brewers and Packers, and rarely missed one of her son’s or grandchildren’s baseball, soccer, wrestling or football games.
     Surviving are her husband, of 64 years, Raymond; their sons, Burton (Nancy) Svendsen, of Rushford, MN, Jerry (Gail) Svendsen, of Indianapolis, IN, Dale (Leslie) Svendsen, of Sacred Heart, MN, Mark (Lynn) Svendsen, of Racine, Mariano (Margarita) Vásquez, of Santiago, Chile, Gianni Fumagalli, of Milan, Italy; 6 grandchildren, Mark, Joseph, David, Emily (Joe) Matson, Matthew (Amanda), and Lydia; sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, Florence Svendsen, Marion Svendsen, Vernon (Willine) Svendsen, and Alvin Svendsen. Her nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive her. In addition to her parents, Margaret Ann was preceded in death by her brother, Burton Dorey and sister, Laurabelle Huntsinger.
      A memorial service, celebrating her life, will be held in the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Friday, February 7, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. with Janice Navarro and Rev. Roger Black officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, February 6th, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and in the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Private entombment will take place in the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials have been suggested to the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Sew & Sews or Hospice Alliance.