Margaret Anne Bakalars

Margaret Anne (Cordes) Bakalars, 79, of West Salem, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Rolling Hills in Sparta, Wis.
She was born on February 21, 1936, to John and Helene (La Rose) Cordes in Milwaukee, Wis. She graduated from Logan High School. On Sept. 12, 1953, she married James Bakalars at St James Catholic Church in La Crosse.
Margaret worked at several places in the La Crosse area including Citizen’s Bank, Grandview Clinic, Viterbo University, Cathedral Grade School and St Francis Hospital. She was a very active volunteer in the community, especially in youth organizations such as 4H and Cub Scouts. Her greatest achievement, however, was that of wife and mother. She and James raised 12 children together.
Margaret was an artist. She created many one of kind hand designed t-shirts and several paintings. She followed in her father’s footsteps as a gardener and always kept a beautiful yard. She produced numerous quilts, an art she learned from her mother. She enjoyed playing cards and was passionate about politics and her faith. She had a humble heart, lived a simple life, and always gave to others everything she had.
She is survived by her 12 children, James (Paula), John, Julianne Klein, Jerome, Joel (Carol), Jacque, Jeanne (John) Beadle, Jodianne (Gary) Brenner, Janet, Jaye (Tanja), Jeffrey (Yadira), and Jelaine (Mike) Modawell. She leaves behind 33 grandkids and 21 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Dorothy (Cordes) Steers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Thomas and Eddy Cordes; one sister, Mary Hickman; two daughters-in-law, Kathy R. Bakalars and Kathy L. Bakalars; and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call on the family on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Sparta and to a very special staff member at Rolling Hills. Your compassion and commitment are immeasurable.