Margaret Lewison

Margaret Helen Lewison (nee Braford), a resident of Austin for over seventy years, died October 25, 2013, at Cornerstone Commons Assisted Living, Plymouth Minnesota. She was born March 6, 1914, in LeSueur County, Minnesota, to Marcus H. and Christina (Pittman) Braford. A graduate of Owatonna High School and Teachers’ College, Margaret taught school in both Steele and Mower Counties. One of the schools in which she taught is now located at the Mower County Fairgrounds. On June 14, 1939, Margaret married Edwin W. Lewison at the YWCA (currently the Hormel Historic Home) in Austin. Margaret and Ed lived in Duluth and other northern Minnesota communities until 1942, when they relocated to Austin, which became their lifelong home. Margaret enjoyed her family and friends, working on many craft and needlework projects, and traveling. A highlight of her travels with her husband was a trip to Scandinavia in 1989 in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. She was very musical, a gifted vocalist, and she also enjoyed playing the piano. As a young woman, Margaret was soloist in many weddings. Throughout her life Margaret was active in her church. A member of First Baptist Church in Austin for 51 years, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and assisted with Daily Vacation Bible School. Prior to joining First Baptist, Margaret was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and president of the Women’s Missionary Society. Her memory will be cherished by the many lives she touched. Margaret is survived by three daughters - Janet Harris, Evanston, IL; Lana Lewison, Evanston, IL; Kay (Floyd) Midura, Minnetonka, MN; five grandchildren – John (Erin) Harris, Evanston, IL; Michael (Lauri) Harris, Evanston, IL; Allison Midura, Minneapolis, MN; Jared Midura, Fargo, ND; and Lindsay Midura, Chicago, IL; six great-grandchildren – Chloe, Annabelle, Signe, Fiona and Ionie Mae Harris and Nicholas O’Brian, all of Evanston, IL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Edwin, in 1999; a baby daughter in 1942; and two brothers, Ralph (Marvel) Braford of Austin in 1965 and Mark (Mabel) Braford of Indianapolis, IN in 2012. A memorial service in celebration of Margaret's life will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, November 24, at the Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Avenue N.W. in Austin, with Pastor Floyd Midura officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Margaret’s love for children are preferred to: Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org) or Ted Fund (www.tedfund.org)

Service Information

Service

Sunday, November 24 2013
11:00 AM

Hormel Historic Home
208 4th Ave. NW
Austin MN 55912