MARGARET JOHANNA (SPATZ) BEREUTER

Margaret Bereuter went to be with her Lord on March 21, 2009.

She was born 102 years ago on a farm in Lancaster County, Neb. to William and Lydia (Gottula) Spatz. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed in 1920 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Lancaster County.

She attended rural grade school which was located next to the family farm. Margaret graduated from Walton, Nebraska High School in 1922, and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1926 where she majored in Home Economics.

Margaret taught for two years, one year at Deshler, Nebraska High School where she taught chemistry and mathematics. The second year she taught at the rural school which she attended when a young girl.

In 1928, she married Arlin Bereuter, whom she met while both attended the University. They lived at Utica, Neb. where Arlin was in the auto, implement and hardware business with his father and brother.

Besides being a loving wife and mother, Margaret was involved in various community activities, including the Red Cross, the Utica Garden Club, and was also a 4-H leader. She belonged to various church activities at St. Paul Lutheran Church including choir, Ladies Aid, the quilting group, and taught Sunday School and Bible classes.

She loved her flower garden, but was also interested in various craft activities, especially quilting, knitting, crocheting and ceramics. She has given a number of pieces to the family which they will continue to enjoy.

After her husband died, Margaret moved to Green Valley in 1990, where one of her daughters was living. During her years in Green Valley, she was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, being involved with the quilters group and LWML. At her death she was the oldest member of the congregation.

In these last years she had been a resident of La Posada Retirement Complex, where she received excellent care from their staff.

Preceding her in death were her husband Arlin Bereuter; her sisters and their husbands, Louise and Carl Lemke and Gertrude and Arthur Mehrens; two brothers who died in infancy; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rupert and Evelyn Bereuter; nephew Robert Lemke.

Survivors include daughters Margaret (Delmer) Roth of Beaumont, Texas and Dorothy (Willis) Mundt of Green Valley; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and other family members.

Services are pending with interment at Utica Cemetery, Utica, Neb. Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.