Margaret M. Mosley

Margaret Maxine Winter Mosley was born on May 6, 1919 in Duncan, Oklahoma.  She said she vaguely remembers traveling on the train to Nebraska when she was a very little girl.  She attended and graduated from Western Public School with the class of 1936.  She attended Doane College and then went to Carleton, Nebraska to teach.  It was there that she met her future husband – Les Mosley – a fellow teacher and coach.  The couple was married on June 14 ^th 1942 at the Western Baptist Church.  Les and Margaret taught in Geneva and David City.  Uncle Sam called and Les went into the service.  They lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Virginia and Pennsylvania during this time.  Margaret held many jobs including working in an office, a dress shop and also as a pre-school teacher.  Upon completion of military service the couple returned to Western to make their home.  Les joined his father-in-law in the Winter-Mosley Purina Feed Store business.

Margaret and Les had two daughters – Barbara Jean and Leslie Ann. Margaret began her teaching career in the Western Public Schools in 1951 teaching kindergarten.  She loved teaching and took a personal and special interest in each child.  She also taught in the Meridian Public Schools in Daykin, Nebraska.  She taught reading, literature and music.  While at Meridian and Western she directed the operettas in each school.

Margaret belonged to the Order of Eastern Star in Beatrice, Nebraska, Alpha Delta Kappa Beta Chapter in Lincoln, Nebraska.  She was past President of the Meridian Public Schools Teacher's Association.  She served as a volunteer in the Lincoln Public School system and received honors and a plaque as an outstanding volunteer in the school system.  She served as President of the Western Woman’s Club and Patterans.  She was selected the Grand Marshal of the Western Old Settler’s Picnic and was a member and officer in the Western Community Club.  She belonged to a Bible Study group of senior ladies.  She was a member of the Western Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school classes and served on various offices in the church.  After moving to Lincoln she attended the First Evangelical Free Church.

Margaret and her husband loved to travel and visited 49 states.  Since the death of Les in 1976 she continues her travels to Europe, Russia, Africa and Israel.

Margaret enjoyed a wonderful life with many special friendships.  A very special group of friends gathered each morning to enjoy coffee and conversation.  This coffee group has remained very faithful through the years.  They have continued to visit Margaret each and every week while at Madonna.  Oh what joy they have brought to mom – she loved your many visits.  On behalf of Margaret, Bobbe and Leslie we wish to extend a huge thank you for your friendship throughout the many years.  Mom loved each and every one of you!

This past May the family honored Margaret with an open house for her 100 ^th birthday.  What a wonderful celebration she had.  She enjoyed visiting with so many friends and relatives.  It was a day that meant so much to her!

Margaret lived the last year of her life in the Madonna long term care in Lincoln.  She made many friends with residents and staff.  She was very happy there and always referred to it as “her home.”  The family thanks Madonna for the wonderful care she received while living there.  She was always busy doing crafts, attending programs, playing bingo and enjoying outings.  This past week she visited Memorial Stadium and totally enjoyed it.  She was always a huge “Go Big Red” fan.

Margaret’s family consists of daughters – Barbara Jean (Lonnie) Schwisow of Western and Leslie Ann (Joe) Wittgren of Lincoln.  Grandchildren – Alisa (Mitch) Pesek of Swanton, Aaron (Amy) Schwisow of Omaha, Adam (Kady) Schwisow of Lincoln and Chris (Megan) Wittgren of Lee’s Summit, Missouri,  Great Grandchildren – T.J., Hailey, Hannah, Conner and Bradleigh Schwisow and Navy and Nixon Wittgren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Les, parents Lewis and Sadie Winter, Sister Elaine White and husband Archie, Brother Dr. Lewis Winter and son-in-law Lonnie Schwisow.

Today we celebrate Margaret.  She was blessed with a wonderful life and all of you meant so much to her.

The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Struckman-Baatz Public Library in Western Nebraska or to the choice of the family.