Praise God from whom all blessings flow – and what a blessing she was!
Margaret Ann Bastian was born October 17, 1932, the third of four daughters to Lester John and Bernice Barbara (Wallis) Menk at their farm on Maplewood Road, Victor Township west of Somonauk, Illinois. She always said she was daddy’s girl.
She graduated from Somonauk High School earning the distinction of DAR award recipient and editor of the yearbook. After graduation she was employed at the farm implement store, Betz and Grandgeorge in Somonauk, Illinois where she met a local and regular customer Gene Bastian; whom she married November 29, 1952 and together Margaret and Gene raised 2 daughters; Lisa and Louise on a farm east of Somonauk. The southern portion of the farm later would become a man-made lake named Lake Holiday, a residential community. By the installation of a dam creating this 300 acre lake across the timber where countless hours of horseback trail riding was enjoyed by her family. Margaret took a secretarial position in the sales office at Lake Holiday which was the beginning of the end of farming and moving from one recreational development to the next as they initiated in the Midwest. She landed her final managerial position as Manager of White Birch Lakes Recreational Association, which she maintained for over 26 years and was very proud of. Maggee was a people person, selfless in all she did, always putting others first. Her editorial interest continued as she created the Birch Bark newspaper, a monthly newsletter sent to White Birch Property owners. She spent endless hours into the night editing her newspaper after her regular workday ended, all by choice as she truly enjoyed writing and design.
She enjoyed attending school and sports functions of her four grandchildren, Josh, Season, Brieann, and Rosalyn; traveling with the family to Marquette and Springfield, Massachusetts for events.
Her final days were at North Woods Nursing Center where she made more friends to love. The family wishes to extend thanks to all the wonderful loving employees there who cared for her with such love and patience.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Bernice; her three sisters and their husbands, Marylou and Jake Grandgeorge, Jean and Donnie Riveland, and Gladys and Bud Grandgeorge; a niece Lynn Grandgeorge and her nephew Denny Grandgeorge.
Maggee is survived by her daughters, Lisa Pond and Louise (Steve) Bryant both of Farwell; grandchildren Josh Bryant of Farwell and his children, Westyn, Rainn, Braelyn, and Bo, Season Bryant of Clare and her son Preston, Brieann (Matt) Richardson of Holland and their sons, Brady, Ezra, and Ty, and Rosalyn (Dan McGuire) Kindell of Clare and their children, Zoey, Vivian, Jake and Jack.
Arrangements have been completed by the Farwell Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home, including cremation and a private family service in the spring. Thank You God for your wondrous gift of Margaret Ann (Menk) Bastian, whose favorite hymn was Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Online condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com
