In Loving Memory of Margaret Elizabeth Gottschalk
July 15, 1943 – April 1, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Margaret, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 81.
Born on July 15, 1943, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, Margaret led a life rooted in service, compassion, and joyful connection. From 1963 to 1966, she proudly served in the United States Navy as a data processing technician, where she met the love of her life, Bill. Together, they built a life of adventure, purpose and love. That included walking across the floor of an active volcano and sneaking pineapples straight from the field in Hawaii. Traveling through Ireland in a horse drawn wagon, touring England and Wales on a canal boat. She might even have spotted the Loch Ness monster in Scotland. In retirement, Margaret and Bill enjoyed cross country motorcycle trips visiting all 48 states in the continental U.S.
Margaret’s sense of service continued throughout her life. She worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and served as an ombudsman for the U.S. Naval facility in Brawdy, Wales. Deeply committed to her community, she volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, supported friends and neighbors after a devastating tornado, and was passionate in her support of the homeowner advocates in The Villages, Florida.
Margaret is known for her bright smile. She brought warmth and joy to others, finding happiness in reading, gardening, sewing, pickleball, and golf. She was even known to be a bit of a pool shark. Margaret cherished big family gatherings filled with mayhem, laughter and love. Her kindness, strength, and spirited humor will live on.
Margaret is survived by her devoted husband Bill, her loving children Bill and Christine, her grandchildren – who were the light of her life – and her siblings John, Mary Jean, and Rebecca McLean. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her mother Jean Ford Carter, her father William Menzie McLean, and her brothers Bill Jay and Thomas McLean.
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
Services will be held at Beyers Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 2:00-4:00pm. A Catholic Mass will be held at Saint Timothy’s at 8:30 am on April 9, 2025.
In honor of Margaret, donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Cornerstone Hospice or SonRise Respite Program through the Lake Deaton United Methodist Church (note that your donation is specifically for the “SonRise” program).
