Margaret L. Bunders

Margaret Louise (Davey) Bunders died on October 12, 2024, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital after struggling with age-related complications. Many thanks to the amazing staff at Kirkland Crossings and Waukesha Memorial Hospital for their tender and compassionate care for her in her final days.

Margaret was a loyal, lifelong resident of Rockford, IL, where she was born on July 10, 1934. She only recently moved to Wisconsin (Kirkland Crossings, Pewaukee, WI) to be closer to two of her daughters. Margaret was the daughter of Walter L. and Florence M. Davey, also of Rockford, IL. She married Kenneth W. Bunders on February 7, 1959, in Rockford, IL, where they raised their four children. Kenneth died tragically in May 1985, but Margaret stayed in the family home they built in 1965 until 2014. She then became a resident at Peterson Meadows also in Rockford.

Anyone who knew Margaret knew that conversations with her were full of her sharing memories of her many trips to great places like Great Britain, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Canada, and all 50 states. From snorkeling in Hawaii, seeing Queen Elizabeth on her birthday, whale watching in Nova Scotia, strolling through the French countryside, and seeing the President of Italy, Marge loved traveling. And whether you wanted to hear it or not 😊 she would teach you something about the Royal Family and British Monarchy. Her love of travel lives on in her family.

Margaret was a proud alumnus of Rockford West High School, class of 1953, and attended Rockford College for two years. She was also quite active with the Continued Learning for Retirees at Rock Valley Community College and a loyal user of the Rockford Public Library.

Margaret was also a voracious reader. She regularly visited her local library, often juggling 3-4 books at a time. Even while she was in the hospital, Marge continued to find relaxation in a good book.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Kenneth, her parents, Walter and Florence, her sister, Beatrice (Dave) Smith, her brother, William Davey, her sister, Almeda Davey, and her great-grandchild, Violet Blomberg.

Margaret is survived by her four children, Kathryn (Jim) Blomberg of Rochelle, IL, Timothy Bunders of Cheyenne, WY, Janet (Paul) Barthel of Waukesha, WI, and Gretchen (Adam) Segal of Waukesha WI.

She is further survived by her six grandchildren, Emily (Phil) Konsor of Ham Lake, MN, Kenneth (Alyssa) Blomberg of Terre Haute, IN, Samuel (Sandra) Barthel of Tucson, AZ, Kelsey Blomberg of Rockford, IL, Dr. Elizabeth (Kevin) Jackson of Holt, MI, and Jonah Segal of Waukesha, WI.

Her three great-grandchildren, Madelyn Franssen, Lucia Barthel, and Oliver Blomberg also survived her.

Margaret lived an amazing 90 years, and for that, we are grateful. Go grab some Mrs. Fisher’s potato chips, a cold Coca-Cola, and maybe a classic Hershey chocolate bar and toast this fine woman, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, and mother! Thank you, mom!!

Margaret will be laid to rest at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford, IL, with a small service for her family. Date and time are yet to be determined.