Margaret Kimpel

WAUNAKEE - Margaret M. Kimpel, affectionately known as “GG” (Great Gramma), age 94, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018. She was a much-loved and treasured mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend - a true Matriarch. She was born on April 8, 1923, in Milwaukee, WI. In 1943, she married Dale Kimpel, with whom she had three daughters, Pamela Bradford, Sandra Hammer, and Mary Ellen Bradford. She and Dale divorced in 1985. She grew up on a farm, and loved gardening (diggin’ in the dirt), canning and freezing food fresh from the garden, baking pies (her pie crust recipe/technique is one of her lasting legacies!), taking care of dogs (she had a dog-sitting business in her home for years), and was devoted to praying the Rosary. In the late 1950s, she was secretary of the Milwaukee County Organic Gardening Club, way before “organic” was popular. GG was never rich in money, but she knew how to squirrel it away and took joy in being able to do things for the people she loved - piano lessons, an item of clothing, plants for the yard (pussy willow, flowering almond, petunias), items for the home, cash for the great-grandchildren at Christmas, or just a lovely lunch and “coff a cuppee.” She had a way with words, and never ceased to amaze her family with a slightly inappropriate, funny, incisive, or somewhat startling comment. And she was stubborn. So stubborn! But it was part of her strength and allowed her to defy the odds more than once - it helped her to have more lives than a litter of kittens, and to be rich in love for almost 95 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela and Mary Ellen; her son-in-law, Michael Hammer and his second wife, Cindy Bacon Hammer; her granddaughters, Maggie Drolet, Becca (Pradip) Hari, Sara (Jeff) Rausch, Lori (Dominick DeRosa) Ringelstetter, and Megan (Nick) Moran; her great-grandchildren, Emili Jean (Sam) Stevenson, Zoë, Peyton, Alizandra (Ali), Aubin, Isabella, and Ava; her great-great-grandchildren, Grayson and Charlotte; her nieces, Arlene (John) Pacourek and Carol Jean (Rich) LeBreck; as well as various friends. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Dale; two sisters, Florence Trepanier and Carol Naber; her brother-in-law, Ralph Trepanier; her daughter, Sandra Hammer; her niece, Terese Trepanier; and her nephew, Ken Trepanier. She and her family wish to thank everyone who was involved in her care over the past few years, including staff at Waunakee Manor, Oak Park Place, Meriter Hospital, and Agrace Hospice, as well as the many people who have helped and supported her and her family in so many ways, especially Char, Ilene, and John.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Heritage Congregational Church at 3102 Prairie Road in Madison, WI, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., service at 12:00 p.m., and a luncheon to immediately follow. Since GG especially loved the vivid colors of her blooming flowers, all who attend the service are encouraged to wear bright colors in celebration of her love of Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be given to the Dane County Humane Society, which was one of her “pet” charitable organizations. GG will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave.

(608) 249-8257