Margaret A. Losse

Margaret Ann Juris Losse passed away on January 18, 2009, at the age of 87 at Capitol Lakes Health Center in Madison, WI, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Margaret was born on November 19, 1921, in Milwaukee to Magdalena and Joseph Juris who had emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the United States as teenagers only a decade earlier. Margaret grew up on 23rd Street and graduated from Rufus King High School in 1937. She attended Milwaukee Downer College for one year but left to support her family working as a secretary in several financial firms. In 1938 Margaret met Erwin Losse, a tall, dashing, young Purdue engineering student. They fell in love and courted for five years before marrying on July 4, 1943, while Erv was on a two-week leave from the US Army. After the war, Margaret and Erv began raising their family, first in Cedarburg, and then in Milwaukee on Olive St. in the home they built and lived in with great pride. Margaret devoted herself to raising her children, Michael and Christine. She excelled at motherhood and loved every part of that role, but losing three children to premature births was a deep sadness that she felt her entire life. When her children were in their teens, Margaret returned to work first as a secretary in an engineering company and then for the City of Wauwatosa Engineering Dept. After Margaret and Erv retired they traveled a bit, but their first love was being fabulous grandparents to their four grandchildren-Phillip and Brenda Manley and Megan and Sarah Losse. Erv passed away in 1993 and Margaret spent the remainder of her life in Madison, the last three years at Capitol Lakes Health Center. Margaret is survived by her son, Michael Losse (Cindy Terrill) of Madison and her grand-daughters, Megan (St. Louis) and Sarah (Tucson) Losse; by her daughter Chris Manley (Jim) of Allentown, PA, and her grandchildren Phillip Manley (Allentown) and Brenda Green (Zane) of Great Falls, MT. Margaret was also great-grandmother to Merrick Zane Green who will be one year old on January 22nd. She is also survived by nieces and nephews and extended family. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Erwin, her sister Helen, and her parents. Margaret was a warm and gracious woman who gave her family unconditional love and support. She loved dancing, music of all kinds, children, animals, and holidays with her family. She was an intelligent person and very organized and precise in her approach to tasks. She dressed with style and pizzazz and seemed to have earrings for every outfit. She had a strong faith and truly believed in the inherent goodness of all people. Her family thanks the staff of Capitol Lakes Health Center for the gentle and dignified care that they gave to Margaret. Memorials to the Employee Recognition Fund can be directed to Capitol Lakes at 333 W. Main St., Madison, WI 53703.