Margaret Lerch Obituary

Margaret E. Lerch, age 85 of Oshkosh slipped peacefully away into God's arms on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. She was born on August 4, 1926 in Fond du Lac the daughter of Ray and Grace (Towne) Hungerford. Margaret married Warren R. Lerch in Fond du Lac on August 28, 1948. Warren preceded her in death on October 13, 2005.

Margaret and Warren initially farmed in the Town of Byron until 1957 and then moved briefly to Fond du Lac before starting Service Oil Company, Inc. in 1959 in Oshkosh. During this time she was a part-time bookkeeper and cashier at Robbins Restaurant. She was also active in the Oshkosh Newcomer's Club, the Oshkosh Garden Club, and the Sociables dance club. She enjoyed spending summers with family and friends at the family cottage on Legend Lake near Shawano, WI and during winter months in Nalcrest, FL. Margaret enjoyed playing cards and bridge clubs. She was always knitting and sewing one of a kind gifts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Survivors include two sons, Retired Colonel Terry (Dorothy) Lerch of Woodbridge, VA, Gary (Anne) Lerch of Oshkosh, one daughter, Sandra (James) Esselman of Sun Prairie, WI; nine grandchildren, Jason (Tamera) Lerch of Woodbridge, VA, Captain Tera (Lerch) Autrey of Newport News, VA, Jared (fiancée, Tara Hungerford) Lerch of Ruthers Glenn, VA, Captain Andrew (Esther) Lerch of Dayton, OH, Bethany Lerch, and Erin Lerch both of Oshkosh, Patrick (Kim) Esselman of Appleton Carrie (Esselman) Pearson, Kristi (Corey) Spatola both of Sun Prairie; thirteen great-grandchildren, Alexis Gibson, Jaelyn Lerch, Caralyn Lerch, Angel Lerch, Austin Lerch, Logan Autrey, Sofia Lerch, Dylan Esselman, Reese Esselman, Alyssa Pearson, Drew Pearson, Talya Spatola amd Logan Spatola. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Betty) Hungerford.

Funeral service for Margaret will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Lutheran Church (2580 W 9th Ave) with Rev's Timothy Routh and Robert Rosenberg officiating. Family and friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Ledgeview Memorial Park in Fond du Lac. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established

Margaret's family would like to thank Evergreen Manor for their wonderful care, compassion and support.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fond du Lac Reporter on May 3, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Lerch

11 Entries

Terry Lerch

April 27, 2022

Can't believe it has been 10 years since your passing. I finally moved back to WI to a new condo in Omro. Love you always Mom.

Cindy Hoge Onken

May 5, 2012

I knew Muggy Lerch all my life. My parents attended school with her in Fond du Lac, Muggy was god mother to my brother Kurt, called her Aunt Muggy during childhood years. Our families spent birthdays, holidays,weddings, many times together and when my family moved from Wisconsin we had vacations at each others homes. So many wonderful memories. What comes foremost in my mind is what a stong willed, organized, take charge woman she was, raising three children, running her home like a well oiled machine and I looked up to her and respected her as a maternal role model. In her last letter she enclosed a favorite recipe and told me how proud she was of the life and career accomplishments of Terry, Sandy and Gary. In February 1953 and May 1972 the funeral guest books for my grandparents were signed by "Mr. and Mrs. Warren Lerch" who stood beside my Daddy as he grieved for the lose of his parents. I wish with all my heart I could be there today, standing with you my dear friend Terry. Please know I will be there in thoughts and prayers, grieving for the loss of a wonderful life long friend, as you lay to rest your mom.
With Love and Respect to Muggy Lerch.

Cindy Hoge Onken . .

May 4, 2012

Gary, Terry & Sandy:
These years of caregiving for our parents passes so quickly. We are on that journey ourselves. Muggie meant the world to Ruth, their friendship goes back to when they were girls. We all enjoyed your mom & dad immensely and had grand times at many of our family gatherings with them present.
Our hearts are with your entire family.
May the Grace of God grant you restoration and peace.
Mark & Jane Isaac (son of Ruth Isaac Serres)

Mark & Carole Haberkorn

May 3, 2012

To the Lerch and Essleman families ..
Both Margaret(Muggy)and Warren were special and are unforgettable. We had such good times with them when they wintered in Florida. It was hard to beat them at Sequence! Very sorry for your loss.

Todd, Kristen & Connor Lynwood

May 3, 2012

Dear Lerch & Esselman family,
We are very sorry for your loss and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Many warm memories of Grandma and weekends up at the cabin.

Love,

May 3, 2012

Dear Jim and Sandy and family,

You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are sorry to hear about your mom.

Mike and Pat Markin

Tara Hungerford

May 3, 2012

Grandma, We will miss you dearly... I know for me, I will miss your smile and laughs at the card table.
Austin slept with his baby blanket you knitted him last night, you had him all snugged! =)
Love, Tara

May 3, 2012

Terry, Gary;
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom passing.
Our sincere sympathies,
Meredith and Ed Barry

May 3, 2012

Terry and Gary, So sorry to hear about your mom. She was a really cool lady. Tommy and Cindy Onken - Las Vegas, Nv.

May 3, 2012

Gary and Family, thinking of you. Pam Allender Oakfield

May 3, 2012

Gary and family,
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing.
With sympathy,
Pam (Larrabee) Wierzba

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