Margaret Erskine

Margaret Valeria (Bowers) Erskine was born April 1, 1914 to Philip Benjamin ?Ben? and Katherine ?Katie? (Ley) Bowers in Alexandria, MN. She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1932. While in high school she belonged to the High School Drum and Bugle Corps. They traveled in Minnesota and Iowa at different times during the summer to promote Alexandria. She spent her summers with her parents and sister on Lake Cowdry where her parents had a lake home. After graduation she worked in the office of J.C. Penney until she married Lucian (Luke) Erskine Jr. To this union the couple was blessed with four daughters, Carol, Holly, Mimi and Katy. They lived in Winona, MN; Cedar Rapids, IA; and Iowa City, IA and retired to Sun Lakes, AZ in the winters and Alexandria in the summers. They moved to Alexandria permanently in 1995, where Luke passed away. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in all 50 states, a month in Spain and Portugal and six weeks in Great Britain and 11 countries in Europe. Margaret enjoyed taking rides around the lakes and stopping at the Dairy Queen. Most of all Margaret cherished and enjoyed being with her grandchildren. Margaret died on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at Knute Nelson at the age of 95. She is survived by her daughters, Holly (Steve) Hirko of Coralville, IA, Marilyn ?Mimi? (Jim) McCarragher of Coralville, IA, Katherine ?Katy? (Mike) Moore of New Hope, MN; son-in-law, Tom Bull of Moline, IL; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; sister, Barbara (Winston) Darkow of Wasilla, AK; nephew, Adrian Darkow of Wasilla, AK and niece, Jeanne (Jerry) South of Eagle River, AK. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Katie; husband, Lucian; daughter, Carol; and infant sister, Phyllis. A memorial service was held on Saturday, February 6, 2010, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Reverend James Oakland officiating. Music was provided by Kim Byrne. Inurnment will be held in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Honorary Urn Bearers were all of Margaret?s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Memorials can be sent to Douglas County Hospice. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.