Margaret D. Crandell

Margaret Dorothy Crandell

November 22, 1925 — October 2, 2024

Margaret Dorothy (Martin) Crandell died Wednesday, Oct. 2, at age 98 after a full life highlighted by church, family, friends and Friday night dinners and dancing.

Margaret was born Nov. 22, 1925, to Alfred and Dora (Hoehn) Martin of Brackett, Wisconsin. She attended Eau Claire Senior High School, and worked at Vanderbie Jewelers while in school and after graduation. She married Russell E. Crandell on April 8, 1951, and they raised three sons and one daughter in Eau Claire. She and Russ were married over 58 years, through his death on June 16, 2009, at age 84.

Margaret was the heart of her family, and enjoyed dinners, conversation and church events with friends and neighbors. Until July this year, she lived independently in the home where she and Russ raised their family, maintaining a social life at 98 that made people half her age envious. All the while, Margaret recalled the names and occupations of every neighbor to own and occupy the houses around her in past decades, educating new neighbors with their homes’ histories.

Religion was central to Margaret’s life. She was a longtime active member of Grace Lutheran Church and, in more recent years, Saving Grace Lutheran Church. She participated in Bible studies, craft groups, sewing groups and annual sewing retreats, and the church bazaar, which required her to prepare lefse months in advance.

Margaret’s family also cherished her skills in the kitchen. No one could duplicate her cut-out and sandbakkel cookies, and few matched her output of freezer jam, canned goods, and frozen corn and peaches. When the holidays arrived, especially Christmas, Margaret made numerous kinds of cookies while also decorating the home and yard, and buying, wrapping and stacking all the presents beneath her family’s tree. Among her family’s most treasured gifts were the many blankets and baby sweaters that Margaret knitted.

She and Russ also liked to travel, whether to vacation in Hawaii, visit friends in Idaho, or drive around Wisconsin to admire its landscapes and fall colors. They also spent their winters in Florida from 1985 through 2001, and enjoyed “lake life” each summer with their children during trips to Lower Long Lake, a tradition that extended from their childhoods through adulthood.

Margaret never tired of good conversation with friends, family and neighbors, whether at church events, dinner parties, or small get-togethers for snacks and cocktails on the back porch. Whatever the season or occasion, Margaret enjoyed a Korbel brandy for “happy hour,” and dressed fashionably in the latest styles. As the family’s “fashionista,” Margaret matched her outfits from head to toe, and wore them the requisite flair to appear in “fashion shows” for Christopher and Banks.

Till the end, Margarets’ friends and family looked forward to spending time with her, and sharing the love she brought to her home and theirs. They’ll forever treasure their memories of weddings, special events, and Friday nights when Russ and Margaret dressed up, went out for dinner, and danced together so gracefully they brought pleasure to everyone who watched.

Margaret is survived by her children, Steve (Mary), Mark (Pam), David, and Ann (Jon) Ziegler; eight grandchildren, Sean (Shari), Erin (Jason) Romenesko, Nicholas, Christopher, Bradley (Heather), Max, Taylor (Kyle) Deignan, and Kallie (Aaron) Walsh; and six great-grandchildren, Selma, Simone, Kate, Julia, and Levi and Owen Romenesko.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell; three older brothers, Jerry and his wife, Margaret; Emanuel “Monty” and Veidi; and Lloyd and his wife, Catherine; nephews Bob Martin and Tom Martin; and niece Pat Wetzel.

Margaret’s funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, 3735 Jeffers Road, Eau Claire, WI 54703, with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Her visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, and again Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire after the service.

Margaret’s family expresses deep gratitude to the friendly, professional staffs at Dove Healthcare South and Heatherwood Assisted Living for the care and help they provided during her stays. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Margaret’s name to Saving Grace Lutheran Church.  Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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