Racine- Margareta Marie Spencer, 75, passed away peacefully at the Oak Ridge Care Center in Union Grove, WI on Thursday, January 10, 2008 following a valiant battle with cancer. Margareta was born in Langenlutsch, Czechoslovakia on September 24, 1932 to the late Franz and Maxamilena (nee: Vena) Ille. Margareta bravely lived through a tough childhood. Early in her life, her young Mother died as the result of Typhoid fever. As a child, Margareta was shot at numerous times and miraculously survived the hardships of WWII. During the War, she was forced from her home, ultimately residing in Germany. She proudly became a United States citizen in 1962 and was so very excited about being an American. Margareta courageously overcame these tough challenges and moved on to live a wonderful, fulfilling life. Among her interests, she enjoyed gardening – especially tending to her roses; cooking; European history; collecting antique dolls; was an extreme chocoholic; and spoiling her canine companion, Scooter. Above all, Margareta was a doting mother and grandmother who always cherished and valued being in the surroundings of her entire family. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Brad Gename; grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Oma", Danielle and Christopher Gename, all of Kenosha; sister, Valerie (Jim) Drozdowski; nephew, Gerald (Gabby) Reutter, both of Racine; devoted friends, Bea Olsen, Lillie Jensen; and Ann and Patti Thomas; and by many other special relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents, Margareta was preceded in death by her brother, Otto Ille; niece, Ilona Reutter; and nephews, Jurgen Reutter and Jason Bassinger. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 2:00 pm with Rev. John Fleming officiating. A reception will follow at the Fireside Restaurant, 2801 – 30th Ave., in Kenosha. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 1-2 pm. In memory of Margareta, memorials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or Countryside Humane Society have been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Michael P. Mullane and nurse, Kelly; the St. Monica's Senior community – especially Marge and Susan; the entire staff of Oak Ridge Care Center; and to WFH All Saints Hospice for the compassionate care and understanding support in our family's time of need. God bless all of you!