Margaret Hartman Driessen

DRIESSEN, MARGARET HARTMAN

Margaret Hartman Driessen (January 4, 1912-July 22, 2009), formerly of Reid Drive in Appleton and also Rose Hill in Kaukauna. Loving, supportive, and loyal spouse of Robert (Bob) E. Driessen (deceased). Mother of Roberta “Bobbi” Driessen, Christopher Driessen(deceased, Erik “Rik” (Susan Finnegan) Driessen, and Anthony “Tony” (Cher Maxwell) Driessen. Grandmother to Ben, John, Chris, and Nick Driessen. Sister to Marie (deceased), Lawrence, George, and Bill Hartman. Margaret was born in and grew up in Athens, WI (near Wausau). At a young age, she worked at the Hartman Variety Store. She went on and earned a degree in nursing. Margaret became one of the first industrial safety nurses in Wisconsin. She addressed health and safety issues of workers in such diverse industries as cherry orchards, canning plants and paper mills.

Margaret met Bob Driessen of Kaukauna. He was a civil engineer at Thilmany Pulp & Paper Company. They married in 1939. At the time, an employer could terminate a woman worker when she got married. Margaret therefore gave up her successful and satisfying professional career to first raise Liefe, their Great Dane puppy (a wedding gift) and after that relevant experience, their children. She also continued to do volunteer nursing work at businesses and schools, served on the Board of the Sheltered Workshop and was active with volunteers for Peabody Manor.

Margaret pursued life-long learning in interior design, psychology, and in Bible studies. She was a devout Catholic and had many close friends who were nuns and priests. Margaret and Bob took several trips to the Middle East, including the Holy Lands, where she learned to ride a camel. After Bob, her spouse of 40 years, died in 1979, Margaret
adapted and came to enjoy her independence. She made additional friends and became even closer to her Hartman and Driessen relatives. Margaret's 97 years of living influenced many people in different and positive ways. She grew up in an era when being an educated, independent, and self-sufficient woman was not the norm. Margaret adapted as necessary, and then pursued her interests as her family and other responsibilities allowed. She will be greatly missed, though she lives on in our memories and in our hearts!

The memorial mass for Margaret will take place at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 24, 2009 at ST. PAUL HOME CHAPEL, 316 E. 14TH Street, Kaukauna. Father Dennis Ryan will be officiating. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Kaukauna. In place of flowers, memorials to St. Paul Elder Services Associate Appreciation Fund or charity of one's choice are appreciated.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920)766-6200