October 9, 1927—July 23, 2020
SPARTA - Margaret Eloise (Waege) Schaller, 92, of Sparta, WI, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
Margaret was born October 9, 1927, at the LaCrosse Hospital to Alvin William Waege and Jean Barbara (Carr) Waege. She attended grade school in rural Wilton, Kendall and Sparta schools in Monroe County. She helped a lot on the farm. She also was by her dad’s side assisting him when he would break new horses. She was active doing all farm work, driving horses and tractors and anything that was needed. In 1946, her parents moved to Tomah and she stayed in Sparta at a neighbor’s house where she worked many places. She attended State School, worked at a Root Beer Stand, waitressed at Heinick’s Café from 1947-1950.
September 13, 1950, she married Earle Frances Schaller. In October 1950, they moved to the Schaller farm in Coles Valley, Norwalk. She lived here for 51 years before moving to Sparta Arms. Margaret and Earl loved to dance. She played cards, did word puzzles, loved music, and belonged to Coles Valley Homemaker for 20 years. Margaret was such a people person that she made a point of visiting as many people in nursing homes as she could.
Margaret was probably best known as the local “Avon Lady.” For 38 years and four months, she made her way through rain, sleet and snow to get to many, many rural farming customers 12 months out of the year. She was always very cheery and sparkled when she came inside with her treasures from Avon that week.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ann Schaller; son, Dennis Carlton Schaller; a sister, Beverly Jensen of Florida; two grandchildren, Benjamin Hutzenbuehler and Sara Schaller; six great-grandchildren, Darian, Jace, Dekota and Maliya Hutzenbuehler, Finley and Trygee Carter; a daughter-in-law, JoAnn Oswald; along with many other relatives, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl in 1994; and a daughter, Mary Josephine, who was one-year-old; brothers, Cecil and Harold; sister-in-law, Doris Vieth; brother-in-law, Robert Jensen; and a son-in-law, Jeff Hutzenbuehler.
Due to Covid-19, a small, private family funeral service is being planned at the Torkelson Page Smith Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta, WI.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
