Margaret A. Raiten

     Margaret A. Raiten, 69, of Sparta, died Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 6, 1949 in Sparta to Clare and Elaine (Weinke) Schwarz. She grew up on Summit Ridge and graduated from Sparta High School.

     Margaret attended two years at Viroqua Teacher’s College. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, her Special Education Degree from Winona State, and her Master’s Degree from UW-L. She taught one year at St. Mary’s Ridge, rural Cashton, 21 years at St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Sparta, and 15 and a half years for the Sparta School District.

     Margaret married Malend N. Raiten on August 17, 1968 at St. John the Baptist, Summit Ridge.

     Margaret enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafts, camping, and gardening. She was very devoted to her family. Throughout her 37 years of teaching, she had great passion and commitment to teaching and compassion for her students. 

     Margaret is survived by her husband, Malend; her children, Lucille Bennett of West Salem, John (Cindy) Raiten of Sachse, TX, Andrea (Roch) Elliott of Waunakee, WI, Joseph (Kristina) Raiten of Pensecola, FL, and Jason (Karin) Raiten of Milwaukee, WI; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 3 brothers and 5 sisters; and many other relatives and friends.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Clare and Elaine.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22nd, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Monsignor Richard Gillis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

     Visitation for Margaret will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21st at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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