Margaret L. Vanek

Margaret Lorraine Vanek was born December 26, 1921, to Victor C. and Gena B. Swenning Johnson in Clarks Grove. She was a lifelong resident of the Clarks Grove area and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1939 and Waldorf College in Forest City, IA, in 1941. On March 15, 1946, Margaret was united in marriage to Franklin C. Vanek in Northwood, IA. She had been employed as a secretary at Wilson & Co. for many years. Margaret was a lifelong member of the North Freeborn Lutheran Church, which later merged with Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. She had served as the Sunday school superintendent and choir director and was active in Circle and Altar Guild. Margaret loved music and dancing, horses, and her cat, "Tucker." She especially enjoyed visiting with neighbors and friends. Survivors include her husband, Franklin of Clarks Grove; children, Todd and his wife, Mary Vanek of Rochester, Juli Zinschlag of Edina, and Kent and his wife, Beth Vanek of Carlisle, PA; and grandchildren: Jennifer, Jessica, and Jillian. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Gena Johnson; sister, Olive Langlie; and son-in-law, David Zinschlag. Memorials are preferred to the North Freeborn Cemetery Fund or the Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.