Margaret Ann Kish

With grace and dignity, Margaret Ann (Ekstrom) Kish, 81, formerly of Crystal Lake, Illinois and longtime resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 15, 2016, at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility in La Crosse.
Her loving husband, Earl R. Kish, Jr., survives Marge as well as her four children, Ann Bova of Springfield, Ill, Daniel (Kathryn) Whiteside of Anna, Ill., Linn Whiteside of Scotts Valley, Cal., and Lars (Ronnie) Whiteside of Pomona, Ill. She has five grandchildren, Kristy Locatelli, Anthony Bova, Justin Haley, and Dustin and Kaitlyn Whiteside; and three great-grandchildren, Lily Haley, Gabriella Bova and Emmalina Locatelli.
Marge was born March 24, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to Walter H. and Astrid M. (Danielson) Ekstrom. One of four children, she is also survived by her brother, Dan (Betty) Ekstrom of East Taunton, Mass., and two sisters, Nancy Johnson of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Marcia (Hans) Swan of Newnan, Ga.
Marge graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School, Ill., in 1952 and went on to Saint Anthony Hospital of Nursing in Rockford, Ill., becoming a Registered Nurse in 1954. Earl and Marge were married May 6, 1977, in La Crosse. Earl was her rock, she loved and adored him, and he her. They were just shy of celebrating their 39th anniversary. Earl is a retired Navy Chief.
Marge loved Hawaii and traveling to visit family. Her hobbies included crafting, painting, reading, and she had a very strong passion for music. Her gentle nurturing nature spread far beyond nursing; she cared deeply for those she loved, and therein found her deepest joy. She most enjoyed quiet one-on-one moments with those dear to her.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14th, at Bells Coulee Lutheran Church in rural Bangor, Wis. Rev. Dr. Richard A. Erickson will officiate. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to Bells Coulee Lutheran Church.
The family wishes to extend their most sincere thanks to the staff of Bethany Riverside for their excellent care. Also, to Jane Pretasky, Maureen Dolan and Colleen Kelley for the in-home care and compassion they so lovingly provided.