Margaret M. Birtzer, 83, of Eau Claire died Thursday, April 16, 2009, at Heritage Court with her family by her side under the care of Northwest Hospice.\r\nShe was born in Cream, WI on December 23, 1925, the daughter of Erwin and Wilma (Gross) Ruff.\r\nMargaret married LeRoy C. Birtzer on May 6, 1944, at Zion Lutheran Church in Cleghorn, WI.\r\nMargaret was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she served on the altar guild for over 20 years, and was involved in various capacities of ladies aide for many years.\r\nBesides being a wonderful mother and homemaker, Margaret worked outside her home, lastly working at Northwest Wisconsin Homecare which she greatly enjoyed.\r\nAmong her many hobbies were crocheting, fishing, making lefse, and spending time with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.\r\nShe is survived by her daughters, Joan (John) Engstrom of Eau Claire and Kathleen (Alan) Lawrence of Janesville; three grandsons, Jeff (Peggy) Engstrom of Augusta, Joel Engstrom of Eau Claire, and Kyle Lawrence of Janesville; one granddaughter, Angela (Danny) Erickson of Janesville; three great-grandchildren, Valerie Lawrence of Janesville, and Jacob&Addison Engstrom, both of Augusta; two brothers, Don Ruff of Eau Claire, and Irving Ruff of Murphy, NC; three sisters, Bernice Blomquist of Eau Claire, Thelma (Jerry) Schilling of Fall Creek, and Carol (Bruce) Britten of Mbabane Swaziland, Africa; and a brother-in-law, Victor Robertson of Eau Claire; and sister-in-law, Vicky Ruff of Janesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, LeRoy in 1994; two sisters, Ivadell Kjesbo and Janice Robertson; and by a brother, Melvin Ruff.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Cleghorn with Pastor Paul Bittner officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Cleghorn. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at church. \r\nThe family would like to extend a special word of thanks to the staff at Heritage Court, Northwest Hospice, and Team 5 at Community Health Partnership.\r\n

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