Margaret Bohr

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 4:01 pm

Margaret Bohr, 89, of Ossian, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian and also after 10 a.m. at the church Tuesday. There was a prayer service at 7 p.m. following the visitation Monday. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Mass servers were Kolton Brummond and Evelyn Bohr. Organist was Lane Rich. Soloist was Don DiLaura (“Here I Am Lord,” “Be Not Afraid,” “On Eagles Wings” and “How Great Thou Art”). Lectors were Bradley and Brian Schmitt. Eucharistic ministers were Cheryl Riehle, Bradley Schmitt and Brian Schmitt. Offertory gioft bearers were Jordan Schmitt and Darren Schmitt. Casket bearers were Adam Bohr, Derek Schmitt, Nathan Brummond, Lucas Brummond. Zachary Brummond and Tyler Riehle. Interment was at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Margaret Ellen Lensing was born Sept. 16, 1930, the daughter of George and Catherine (Gilbert) Lensing. She grew up on the family farm near Jackson Junction where she developed a strong work ethic picking rock and working for a truck garden as a teenager. She attended country school and graduated from Waucoma High School. Margaret married Cyril Bohr Sept. 22, 1954, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Mary, at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. She worked at Bucheit Produce in Calmar breaking eggs until starting a family. Cyril and Margaret farmed near Ossian while raising their eight children. Margaret and the children did much of the farm work while Cyril worked on the road. She milked cows, raised pigs and always tended a large garden. Margaret enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, embroidery, going to garage sales, shopping at the Depot, playing accordion and even yodeling. She even won the pig calling contest one year at the Iowa State Fair. Margaret loved watching her grandchildren play sports and hearing of their academic accomplishments. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Cyril; children: Dale Bohr, Ossian; Linda (Elbert) Thomas, Folsom, Calif.; Dennis (Lois) Bohr, Decorah; Glenda (Dennis) Schmitt, West Union; Mary (Mike) Brummond, Fort Atkinson; Darryl (Irene) Bohr, Ossian; Geraldine (Craig Kerndt) Wurtzel, Waukon; Cheryl (Jamie) Riehle, Calmar; and Dennis Rink, Clarion; grandchildren: Aaron (Lindsey) Bohr, Nicole (Ryan) Pierce, Adam (Chelsey) Bohr, Darren (Carly) Schmitt, Bradley (Brittney) Schmitt, Brian (Dana) Schmitt, Derek Schmitt, Jordan (Taylor) Schmitt, Amanda (John) Blankenship, Nathan (Jamie) Brummond, Lucas (fiance, Chelsey Ardinger) Brummond, Zachary Brummond, Elizabeth (Glen) Elsbernd, Emily (Michael) Whalen, Erica (friend, Derek) Bohr, Evelyn Bohr, Aimee (Edward) Pietan, Megan Rude, Stevie Wurtzel, Ashley (Bret) Tangen, Tyler Riehle and Kylee (friend, Karson) Riehle; 20 great grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren; sisters, Grace Gerleman, Fort Atkinson and Theresa (Bill) Orthaus, Ionia; brothers, Vincent (Wilma) Lensing, Alta Vista and Gilbert (Kathy) Lensing, New Hampton; brothers-in-law: Bill (Leta) Bohr Jr., Dubuque; James (Jeannie) Bohr, Protivin; and Bob Beckley, Bellevue; sisters-in-law, Madonna Rask, White Bear Lake, Minn. and Glenda Lensing, Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Maurita (Elmer) Marpe and Mary Beckley; brother, Eugene Lensing; father and mother-in-law, William and Hildegarde Bohr; brothers-in-law: Vernon (Agnes) Bohr, Jerome (Lorraine) Bohr, Don Rask; isters-in-law: Rosemary (Matt) Gerleman, Gertrude (Eugene) Novak, Delores (Paul) Riniker, Theresa (Ralph) Moellers Joan Hennis and Hildegarde Bohr in infancy.