Obituary: Margaret (Hatch) Seymour - Class of 1933

WEST BEND - Margaret (Hatch) Seymour, of West Bend, age 94, passed away on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at West Bend.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1916, in Augusta to the late Carlisle (Lisie) C. And Winifred (nee Butler) Hatch. She spent her early childhood in Onalaska and moved to Madison in 1925. There, she graduated from Madison Central High in 1933, attended the UW of Wisconsin for three years and Groves Barnhardt Business School for six months. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Madison Gas and Electric Company for several years until 1942.

Margaret was united in marriage to Eugene (Gene) Seymour in 1940. After her marriage she devoted herself to her husband and to raising her two sons, Gary and Jon. As did many wives during World War II, she did this while her husband served overseas with the United States Navy Seabees. Margaret loved her family and was an active and guiding participant in their successes and adventures. She was the care giver for her parents until their deaths.

Margaret began to china paint later in life and belonged to several china painting organizations such as the World Organization of China Painters and China Painters of Jefferson County. She was active in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Madison, demonstrating her china painting skills at school folk fairs in the Madison metropolitan area. In 1992, she moved to West Bend, to be closer to her family. There she continued her china painting and made many new friends at the Cedar Ridge Retirement Apartments.

All who knew her will remember her as a quiet, caring, loving, gentle, friendly, witty, and humorous woman whose generous heart belied her small stature. She will be deeply missed by friends and family alike.

Margaret is survived by her two sons, Gary (Jane) of West Bend, and Jon (Jacqueline) of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren, Andrew of West Bend, Daniel (Gina) of Decatur, Ga., Jennifer of Waukegan, Ill., Cameron of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Amanda (Miles Spathelf) of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Edith Hatch of Janesville; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene in 1990; and her two brothers, Seth and Carlisle.

In accordance with Margaret's wishes, there will be no funeral services. A celebration of her life will be held at a time and place convenient to her family and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Reedsburg Educational Foundation (designated for the Seymour Education Fund), 501 K St., Reedsburg, WI 53959; or to a favorite charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive,(608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 30, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)