Margaret Jane Milton

In Memory OfMargaret J. MiltonMargaret Jane Milton, "Granny Goose", of Friend, died Saturday, October 2, 2004, at the Friend Manor in Friend, Nebraska at the age of 102 years 1 month and 22 days. She was born August 10, 1902 on the original family homestead, later known as "The Gill Corner" near Tobias and was the youngest of twelve children born to Timothy and Jane (Kirkwin) Gill, all born on that homestead. As a young girl, she lived north of Friend and attended school in Friend graduating with the class of 1923 from Friend High School. During her school years she was a cheerleader and also played on the girl's basketball team. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator for Lincoln Telephone Company. Margaret was later was united in marriage to Harry Edward Milton on October 7, 1925 in Friend and to this union two sons Robert J. and Bernard A. were born. They made their home in Friend for most of their married life, however they lived in California briefly at the start of WWII and then moved to the Bellevue, Nebraska area where Harry's brother Bob and his wife joined them. Returning to Friend in 1946, Margaret again worked for the telephone company and assisted her husband with his ice house station and trucking businesses. Her greatest blessings were her sons and she enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, enjoying her grandchildren and all their friends. Margaret was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, a compassionate, witty and fun-loving lady. She was a great storyteller and loved to "give people a laugh". A favorite holiday was St.Patrick's Day and a trip to Misty's in Lincoln to celebrate. She also enjoyed playing bridge and other card games. She was an avid Big Reg fan especially when Turner Gill was the quarterback. Even after Margaret moved to the Friend Manor in 1992, she continued to enjoy her life-long ambition of giving others a laugh, making sure they enjoyed life too, for a good laugh is good for the soul. Wonderful people that enhanced her stay at the Friend Manor were a very caring granddaughter, Barbara Springer, an angel of a niece, Shirley Milton, nieces, Mary Croissant and Florence Pollard, and other special ladies, Vicky Johansen, Ruby Johnson, Hilma Calkins, Blanche Ach and Connie Sutton. Also, all of the staff at the manor who were very considerate. The family would also like to acknowledge the benevolence of the Irma Warren family. Margaret was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Ford Banka Post Unit #183 for more than 80 years, joining when her brother served in WWI. She is survived by her son and daughters-in-law, Bernard A. and Virginia Milton, and Grace (Mrs. Robert J.) Milton, all of Lincoln, five grandchildren, Richard and Sandy Milton, Grand Island, Barbara and Van Springer, Seward, Jackie and Jon Burmeister, Lincoln, Patricia "Tish" and Robin Hendricksen, Lincoln, Donna and Brett Young, Bennett, four step-grandchildren, Patrick Dalton, Iowa, Chuck and Rosie Dalton, Lincoln, Terry Dalton, Texas and Mike and Kitty Dalton, North Carolina, 27 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harry, on December 2, 1982, son, Robert J. "Bob" Milton, a granddaughter, Denise Tilton, eight brothers, William, Peter, Patrick, Miles, John, Daniel, Charles "Leo", and Mark "Speck" Gill, three sisters, Anna Strope, Ella McCarthy and Winifred McNeil.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2004, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend with Fr. James Cooper officiating. A Rosary will be held at the church on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in Andrew Cemetery, Friend. Visitation is 9-9 Monday, 9-6 Tuesday at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend, and one hour before services at the church. Memorials have been established to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Friend Manor.