Margaret Mary Pedretti

Margaret Mary Pedretti, age 90 of Prairie du Chien, passed away on August 1, 2023, at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. She was born on December 28, 1932, in Genoa, Wisconsin, the daughter of William Charles and Agnes Margaret (Venner) Pedretti. 

Margaret attended Mound Ridge School and worked on the family farm until she left home at the early age of sixteen. In her autobiography, she wrote, “I started milking Molly when I went to first grade. The school was just up the hill from our house. When we came home for lunch, we had to do the dishes. When we got home from school, we worked in the fields. After supper I went back to the barn to milk Molly, and then it was time for bed.”

She was a strong, fiercely independent woman who supported herself from age sixteen, never asking for a dime from someone else except one time when she needed $20.00 to pay rent.  She was a proud American with a strong interest in politics. She lived most of her life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin working as a waitress, first at the University Club, then at the Athletic Club, where she worked well over a decade in her own words “eight days a week—I worked seven days a week and one day a week I had to work two shifts.” After that she worked many years as a freelance waitress at banquets. After she retired, she relocated to Prairie du Chien to be near three of her siblings and their families. She enjoyed gambling, smoking cigarettes and drinking a beer now and then.

She is survived by her sister, Ann (Paul) Reindl of Charesholm, Alberta, Canada and her brothers Daniel (JoAnn) of La Crosse, WI, Michael (Nancy Hill) of Williamsburg, VA, Leo (Ellen Lipp) of Fresno, CA, and fifty-eight nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Clara (Kenneth) Lincicum, Agnes (Wayne) Dahl, Mary Jane (David) Waite, Joan (August) Tautges and Dolores (John) Moore and brothers Joseph (Mary Lee), Bernard (Darlene), and William (Judy), and infant brothers John and James and thirteen nieces and nephews.

A heartfelt thank you to Angie Halton who provided exceptional care and love for her aunt during her last years and to Prairie Maison staff who provided compassionate care during Margaret’s last days,

A memorial service will be held at St. Charles Church in Genoa, Wisconsin at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to St. Charles Parish in Genoa, Wisconsin.

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