Margaret June O'Keefe, age 98, died peacefully on Thursday, August 28, with family at her side. Margaret (Marge) was born in Wausau on June 20, 1927, to Anna and Reinhart Vilter, the youngest of six siblings. Marge grew up in Wausau near Marathon Park. She graduated from Wausau High School before working at the local telephone company, Winkleman's Department Store and Marathon Battery.

On September 17, 1948, Marge married the love of her life, William (Bill) O'Keefe, in Eagle River. Together, they started what would become an 11-member family, settling in Schofield. Marge devoted her life to supporting a busy household. She became a very good cook; holidays and family gatherings always centered around lavish meals. And while it often failed to measure up to her own high standard, Marge's potato salad was without rival. She also became an accomplished seamstress and, to the occasional dismay of her children, took on the role of family barber. Marge was a devoted caretaker tending to the series of skinned knees, broken bones and illnesses that afflicted her children, and eventually cared for Bill in the later stages of his life. She claimed to have neither time nor interest in pets yet proved incapable of refusing her children's frequent pleas to adopt stray dogs to which she quickly became attached.

Though small in stature, the challenges of raising nine children in modest circumstances instilled in Marge formidable inner strength and resilience. Her tough exterior, coupled with a natural shyness, led some to conclude she was cold or unfriendly but, in fact, she was warm and caring, generous with her time and energy, and fiercely loyal.

In her free moments, Marge enjoyed solving word puzzles, playing cards, collecting jewelry and watching birds – she especially liked cardinals. She also enjoyed music – a crush once held on Englebert Humperdinck was replaced later in life by a much stronger affection for Daniel O'Donnell, the Irish singer. She was able to attend several of "Danny's" concerts, the last at which he serenaded her on her 92nd birthday. It was one of the most memorable moments of her life.

Marge is survived, and will be greatly missed, by her children: Gloria, Ron, Bob, Darlene, Patty, Jim (Martha), Jerry and Kathy. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren the youngest, Margaret, born just a week before Marge's passing.

Marge was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Bill; her daughter Carol; her son Bill Jr.; her son-in-law Keith LaPorte; her parents; her brothers Robert, George, Elroy, and Milton (Sonny) and sister Irene; many nieces, nephews and in-laws and her loyal companion Sparky.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, September 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Buettgen Funeral Home on Grand Avenue in Schofield to share memories and honor Marge's life. Following a brief service, Marge will be laid to rest, alongside her husband Bill, at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau.

Grief is the price we pay for love. We love you, Mom.