Margaret A. Kartes

Margaret A. Kartes, age 75, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at her home after an illness of 2 months. Margaret was born on August 12, 1931 in Rose City to Lawrence and Elva (Westrich) Schneider. She married Robert Kartes on August 11, 1950 at Holy Family Catholic Church in West Branch. She moved to West Branch shortly after their marriage. Margaret was very involved in her community all her adult life. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was an Edwards Township Supervisor for many years and served the West Branch and Rose City Area Schools as a board member for 20 years. Margaret served on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors where she was the first woman ever to be elected to that position. Margaret was appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation where she served at the national level on the natural and environmental committee. She was active in the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Helping Hands and Association of Country Women of the World. Margaret also taught agriculture in the classrooms. She was also well known for her cakes she made for the special occassions in life. Margaret is survived by her husband Robert; children Larry Kartes (Mary), Stan Kartes (Micky), Tom Kartes (Linda), Brad Kartes (Debby), Cecile Reder (Keith) all of West Branch and Rosemary Ward (Lonnie) of White Hall. There are 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren also surviving. Margaret has 3 brothers, Ervin Schneider (Beverly) of Rose City, Melvin Schneider (Marty) of Mt. Morris and Leo Schneider (Sandy) of Hale; 3 sistes, Virginia McQuiston (John) of Rose City, Carolyn Thompson (Dale) of Rose City, RuthAnn Fisher (Bernard) of West Branch and an aunt, Hazel Priest of West Branch. She is preceded in death by brothers Harold, Elmer Schneider (Norma) and a sister Doris Rau. Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Thursday, March 29, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, March 30, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, West Branch. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands, the American Cancer Society, 4H and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.