Margaret E. Dineen

Margaret (Powers) Dineen, 76, passed away peacefully January 7^th, 2018, at her apartment at Bethany on Cass, after a 10-month battle with ovarian cancer. She was born to Gerald and Catharine (Miers) Powers on August 13^th, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wis. She graduated high school from Holy Angels, attended UW-Madison, where she met her husband of 46 years, Dick Dineen, and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from UW-LaCrosse.

Margaret taught at Cathedral Catholic School for 26 years. She taught 5^th through 8^th grade, but her favorite was eighth grade, as her spunky personality blended well with the middle school antics. Her students affectionately referred to her as ‘Mrs. Dineen the homework machine.’ She was very grateful and proud to be recognized with the Life Time Educator award from Aquinas Catholic Schools in 2014. She enjoyed substitute teaching until the fall of 2016.

Margaret is survived by her two sons, Daniel (Terri) of Fairbault, Minn., David (Shelly) of Wauwatosa, Wis., and daughter Meghean (Todd) of Excelsior, Minn., She was a devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren; Kellie and Kevin Dineen, Allie and Tori Dineen, and Matthew, Claire, and Michael Shea. She was one of four children and is survived by a brother, Jerry (Mildred) Powers of Whitefish Bay, Wis., and a sister, Catherine McAninch of Scottsdale, Arz. She is also survived by Dicks siblings, Elizabeth Taylor of Boston, Ruth Thorn of Milwaukee, Wis., Patrick (Lanie) Dineen of Medina, Wash., and Kathleen (Ervin) Lauer of Bloomington, Minn; and a sister-in-law, Carla Dineen of Overland Park, Kan., Margaret also leaves behind a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and God Children.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dick in 2009; a sister Rosemary Duero; brother-in-law’s, Jack Duero and John McAninch, Edward (Bud) Dineen, and Jim Thorn; sister-in-law Joan Seigler; and Godson Brian Lauer.

Margaret enjoyed boating on Mississippi, many years camping in the dells, 7 fabulous years at the Cabin in Spooner, Wis., and opening her home for Oktoberfest gatherings. She enjoyed many winters in Cape Coral, Fla., and enjoyed all the festivities of the La Crosse group. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing Mahjong, and became a late life water aerobics instructor.

There was a deep-seated faith in Margaret that permeated her entire life. Her family and friends were the core of her existence. She will be greatly missed.

A funeral Mass will be will be held Saturday, January 13^th,  2018, at 11:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Bld. So., La Crosse, Wis. Burial will be held in St. Francis Borgia Cemetery, Cedarburg, Wis. Family and friends may visit at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave South, on Friday from 4 to 7:00 PM and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are requested in her honor or a charity of your choice. The family is planning to make a onetime cumulative donation to Bethany on Cass in Margaret’s name.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethany on Cass, especially Jessica and Shannon for making her feel so loved and at home.