Margaret Vivian Carlson Collis

Margaret Vivian Carlson Collis, 99, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Hermon, Illinois, took her last breath surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg, Illinois. 

Margaret was born to loving Swedish immigrant parents, Rudolph and Adina Johnson Carlson on June 6, 1916 at Cottage Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois. She was raised and educated in the Galesburg and Knoxville area, graduating from Knoxville High School.  She won the highest honor for singing in Knox County her senior year at Knoxville High School.  She married Clyde F. Collis on April 7, 1935 and he preceded her in death on August 5, 1984.

Margaret is survived by two sons, Dale (Sharon) Collis of Galva, Illinois and William (Marcia) Collis of Galesburg, Illinois; one daughter, Darlene (Bruce) Hartman of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Stacey (Paula) Collis of Elizabeth, Colorado, Shelley Collis of Newburg, Oregon, Gary Collis of Los Angles, California, Dana (Jeff) Schenkel of Carol Stream, Illinois, Sten (Ellen) Hartman of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ingela Hartman of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; four great-grandchildren, Holly, Nicholas, and Eric Schenkel of Carol Stream, Illinois, and Aida Hartman of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; one brother, Russell (Shirley) Carlson of Abingdon, Illinois; six nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and her cousins extended family in Sweden who she regularly kept in contact with.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Roy Carlson, and one grandson, Sean Collis.

Margaret worked alongside her husband farming the family farm near Hermon, Illinois.  She was also known for baking wedding and graduation cakes and giving piano, organ, and voice lessons.  Margaret and Clyde loved tending to her flower gardens and huge vegetable gardens. Her life was filled with a love of music which she poured out generously.  She sang and also played the organ, piano, guitar, and accordion for nursing homes, and other organizations. She also played the organ for area churches and was in the OAKS Band. 

Margaret was a life time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville where she was part of the Ladies Aid, the Mary Circle, taught Sunday School, and was children’s choir director.  She also belonged to the Knox County Farm Bureau and the Farm Bureau Primetimers.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 2:30 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Illinois with visitation being held from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.  Rev. Michel D. Clark officiating.  Private family burial will take place at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Many thanks for the loving care by her private caregivers. Online condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com