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In Memory of
Margaret J
Fuerste (Welch)
Fuerste (Welch)
1925 - 2016
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Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory
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Obituary for Margaret J Fuerste (Welch)
Margaret Fuerste, of Dubuque, died on Saturday June 11, 2016. She was at home and surrounded by family.
Memorial services will be held at 11:15am on Saturday, June 18 at Blades Chapel - University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, where friends may greet the family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. Rev. Hal Murry of Westminster Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.
Margaret was born on June 23, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa to Dale Dennis Welch and Margaret Lucile (Aitchison) Welch. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1943, and from Cornell College in 1947. She received a master’s degree in English from the University of Michigan in 1948, and taught for a year in Ishpeming, Michigan. Her father’s service as President of the University of Dubuque, and her aunt’s role as the Chair of English Department encouraged her lifelong love of learning. Her mother’s artistic abilities developed her passion for art and design. She would eventually take a second degree in art history from Clarke College.
She married William Charles Fuerste on July 2, 1949 at Alma College in Michigan. They lived in Dubuque all their married lives, enjoying 61 years of abiding love before he passed away on March 25, 2011. They raised their five children in a home that was full of love and lively debate, encircled by family and friends. Her children are so grateful for her loving care of their father, and credit her for making him happy and vital in the last years of his life when his disabilities could have sidelined him.
They joyfully traveled worldwide together, with Margaret researching and designing itineraries that drew on her knowledge of art, architecture, culture, politics and geography. Her deep appreciation for beauty made their home both warm and elegant, and her culinary skills made her dinner parties incredibly fun and memorable.
Margaret was actively engaged in the Dubuque community, chairing the Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors and providing leadership for projects benefiting the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the Regional Library Board, the Dubuque Museum of Art, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to found the Dubuque chapter of the Friendship Force, a citizen-led travel and diplomacy program, and she led delegations to Guatemala, Switzerland and Germany. Bill described Margaret as an ‘indomitable force’ and her family honored her abilities as a woman far ahead of her time.
Her lifelong love for books was the impetus for her partnership in Inn Books from 1979 to 1989, followed by her partnership in the original River Lights Bookstore at Wacker Plaza. Her passion for reading continued long into her retirement, as did her active engagement with current events. She was extremely well-informed and articulate about her political views, and her neurosurgeon at the University of Iowa Hospitals knew she was feeling better when she encouraged him to broaden his understanding of the current political scene by watching one of her favorite news analysis programs.
Surviving Margaret are her five children: Emily (Glenn Swanson), Martha (Douglas Henry), Robert, Elinor (Calvin) Buss, and John (Sara) Furste; nine grandchildren, Margaret Meyer, Oliver Langmo (Ida Jensen), Edward Henry (Mary Bryant), Andrew Fuerste-Henry (Danielle Phillips), Philip Henry (Tess Kean), William Miller (Emma Lazore), Alexander (Nicole) Miller, Zachary Furste and Emily Furste; a great granddaughter, Lela Elaine Bryant Henry, and a great grandson, Weston Alexander Miller. Two additional great grandchildren are expected this fall.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; an infant granddaughter, Caroline Amelia Miller; and two devoted aunts, Anna and Eleanor Aitchison.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Dubuque or University of Dubuque.
The family is very thankful to Edna, Peggy, Sharon and Theresa for their kindness and skillful care.
The family also recognizes that our sister Ellie’s daily care for our mother over the last four years gave her cheerful companionship with every need anticipated and met. We will always be grateful to Ellie for giving our mother a loving and graceful final chapter.
Memorial services will be held at 11:15am on Saturday, June 18 at Blades Chapel - University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, where friends may greet the family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. Rev. Hal Murry of Westminster Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.
Margaret was born on June 23, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa to Dale Dennis Welch and Margaret Lucile (Aitchison) Welch. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1943, and from Cornell College in 1947. She received a master’s degree in English from the University of Michigan in 1948, and taught for a year in Ishpeming, Michigan. Her father’s service as President of the University of Dubuque, and her aunt’s role as the Chair of English Department encouraged her lifelong love of learning. Her mother’s artistic abilities developed her passion for art and design. She would eventually take a second degree in art history from Clarke College.
She married William Charles Fuerste on July 2, 1949 at Alma College in Michigan. They lived in Dubuque all their married lives, enjoying 61 years of abiding love before he passed away on March 25, 2011. They raised their five children in a home that was full of love and lively debate, encircled by family and friends. Her children are so grateful for her loving care of their father, and credit her for making him happy and vital in the last years of his life when his disabilities could have sidelined him.
They joyfully traveled worldwide together, with Margaret researching and designing itineraries that drew on her knowledge of art, architecture, culture, politics and geography. Her deep appreciation for beauty made their home both warm and elegant, and her culinary skills made her dinner parties incredibly fun and memorable.
Margaret was actively engaged in the Dubuque community, chairing the Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors and providing leadership for projects benefiting the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the Regional Library Board, the Dubuque Museum of Art, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to found the Dubuque chapter of the Friendship Force, a citizen-led travel and diplomacy program, and she led delegations to Guatemala, Switzerland and Germany. Bill described Margaret as an ‘indomitable force’ and her family honored her abilities as a woman far ahead of her time.
Her lifelong love for books was the impetus for her partnership in Inn Books from 1979 to 1989, followed by her partnership in the original River Lights Bookstore at Wacker Plaza. Her passion for reading continued long into her retirement, as did her active engagement with current events. She was extremely well-informed and articulate about her political views, and her neurosurgeon at the University of Iowa Hospitals knew she was feeling better when she encouraged him to broaden his understanding of the current political scene by watching one of her favorite news analysis programs.
Surviving Margaret are her five children: Emily (Glenn Swanson), Martha (Douglas Henry), Robert, Elinor (Calvin) Buss, and John (Sara) Furste; nine grandchildren, Margaret Meyer, Oliver Langmo (Ida Jensen), Edward Henry (Mary Bryant), Andrew Fuerste-Henry (Danielle Phillips), Philip Henry (Tess Kean), William Miller (Emma Lazore), Alexander (Nicole) Miller, Zachary Furste and Emily Furste; a great granddaughter, Lela Elaine Bryant Henry, and a great grandson, Weston Alexander Miller. Two additional great grandchildren are expected this fall.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; an infant granddaughter, Caroline Amelia Miller; and two devoted aunts, Anna and Eleanor Aitchison.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Dubuque or University of Dubuque.
The family is very thankful to Edna, Peggy, Sharon and Theresa for their kindness and skillful care.
The family also recognizes that our sister Ellie’s daily care for our mother over the last four years gave her cheerful companionship with every need anticipated and met. We will always be grateful to Ellie for giving our mother a loving and graceful final chapter.
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