Margo T. "Sproule" Berning

Margo T. (Sproule) Berning, 70, of Galena, IL, formerly of Hanover, IL, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at St. Michael's Cemetery, in Galena, IL, followed by a Celebration of Life Gathering at Ehrler Ranch Special Event Barn, in Galena, IL. The Haudenshield Funeral Home & Crematory in Cuba City, WI, is serving the family.

Margo was born on April 26, 1955, to Earl and Helen (Myhre) Sproule in Dubuque, IA. She was number 8 of their 12 children. She was a graduate of Galena High School. Margo lived and worked in Galena, IL, for 25 years before moving to Hanover, IL, where she resided for 36 years.

You could say that Margo was a local treasure. Her outgoing personality and contagious laugh attracted most anyone to interact with her. Despite a lifelong battle with mental health challenges, she was loved and cared for by her community right up until she was welcomed to her final home at Lafayette Manor in Darlington, WI.

Margo enjoyed journaling, music & singing, dancing, playing cards, and comedic performances. Her sharp tongue and wit could make a royal guard crack. She had a great sense of humor and loved visiting with her family and grandchildren the most. Most time spent with them was full of laughter, song, quotes, and back and forth banter. Margo had faith in God, and she loved to read scriptures and daily devotional, especially to her friends over the last year. She loved and talked to anyone and everyone about her treasured time working as a teenager for General Grant's Home, handing out pamphlets to the tourists as they came, she was very proud of her duties there. You could find her selling a hodge podge of items at town festivals, or front yard, acknowledging that her sales talents came from her dad. Above all, never having much herself, she was still a generous giver to those in need. Donating proceeds of her earnings to the Hanover Park District, where she always wanted a "town pool". She helped tremendously with local children's programs and during her stint as a crossing guard, you'd find her directing traffic in a Santa suit, a huge hit with the kids every year. She will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to sample and appreciate the indescribable zesty persona of who Margo was.

Margo is survived by her three children: Laura (Chad) Pearce of Hazel Green, WI; Valerie Berning (Jon) of Hanover, IL; & Paul (Anya) Berning of Waltham, MA; four grandchildren, Owen Knauer, Bear and Indigo Wiley, and a baby girl due very soon, Kira Berning; her siblings: Susan Hilberry, Tim (Lynn) Sproule, Sandra (Larry) Kooistra, Jim (Suzanne) Sproule, Earl Jr. (Karen) Sproule, Lorna (Dave) Mongan, Mary Jane Berning, Robert (Jaron) Sproule, Beth (Phil) Thorngren, and Thomas Sproule; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Douglas Berning; her parents, Earl and Helen Sproule; her brother, Roger Sproule; and a special partner, her "Soldier", Ken Harkness.

The family would like to give an enormous Thank You to the entire Administration and Staff at Lafayette Manor in Darlington WI, Local Police & Dispatch, EMT, and Fire Departments for everything you have done to serve our beloved Margo over the years. We will never forget the Grace you gave, and for seeing her in depth for who she truly was and not for her faults.

In lieu of plants and flowers, a Margo Berning Memorial Fund has been established at Apple River State Bank.

Memorials may be mailed to:

Haudenshield Funeral Home
c/o: Margo Berning Family
P.O. BOX 825
Cuba City, WI 53807