MARGARET JEANETTE LEMASTER, the only daughter and youngest child of Robert Huntington and Julia (Wilson) Newton, was born at Inavale, Nebraska, Christmas Day, December 25, 1916, her parents’ tenth wedding anniversary.  She passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Tekamah, Nebraska, at the age of 94 years.

After high school, Margaret attended Normal Training and taught in rural schools for two years. She attended Lincoln business school for two years and two years at the UNL Teachers College. She taught elementary school for one year and then was employed at the bomber plant, south of Omaha from 1942-1944. She returned to UNL, completing her studies on East Campus.

Margaret & Bernie meet in Tekamah where he was the County Extension Agent and she was the Home Extension Agent. On December 25, 1946, Margaret’s 30th birthday, they married at her parents’ home in Lincoln, Nebraska. They made their home in Tekamah where they raised three children, Stan, Barbara,and Janis. They lost a daughter in infancy born with spina bifida. They enjoyed nearly thirty years of great family life until Bernard’s death in September 1976. Margaret and Bernie were promoters of small town businesses; they preached keeping your business in Tekamah.

Margaret was active in her church and community affairs. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and UMW in Tekamah, UNL Alumni Association, VFW Auxiliary and served as a Girl Scout leader. In addition to her church activities, she also enjoyed her grandchildren, baking cookies, sitting in her glider, reading, crocheting or watching TV, visiting and eating out with friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband, Bernard and infant daughter, Judy Sue.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Laurie LeMaster of Dallas, TX; daughters and sons-in-law, Barb and Brad Ray, Janis and Dennis Connealy all of Tekamah; nine grandchildren, Scott (Eve) LeMaster of New York, NY, Jennifer (Chris) Gay of Dallas, Brett Ray of Omaha, NE, Brady (Bethany) Ray of Blair, NE, Becky (Burt) Rogers of Tekamah, Crystal (Steve) Fleming of Austin, TX, Kimberly (Scott) Lemmon of Omaha, Quentin (Jill) Connealy of Tekamah, Conrad Connealy of Brookings, SD; eleven great grandchildren, Ben and Zane LeMaster, Jillian & Vivian Gay, Brynn & Brooks Ray, Brock & Brody Rogers, Logan Fleming, Braydon & Easton Lemmon.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, February 7, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Tekamah.

VISITATION: Sunday 1 - 3 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 1 - 3 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home. Visitation Monday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for the Bernard R. LeMaster Scholarship and the United Methodist Church, Tekamah.

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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