Margaret ("Maggie") died peacefully on January 29, 2018. Maggie was born on March 28, 1944, in Oshkosh. She attended Oshkosh High School and Valparaiso University. She earned her Bachelor's Degree and, subsequently, a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Maggie served the community for many years as a librarian at Appleton Public Library, where she was well loved by coworkers and patrons alike for her witty, dry sense of humor. Upon retirement, she moved to Oakland, California, and quickly fell in love with her new hometown. Here, Maggie joined the welcoming community of Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, and met many cherished friends. Maggie returned to Oshkosh in 2016 to spend the end of her life near family members. Her loving cousins, Janet Olson and Maureen Sturm, provided incredible compassion, support, and encouragement to Maggie as she bravely coped with medical challenges. Not surprisingly, Maggie was an avid reader who could finish multiple books in a day. She particularly enjoyed mysteries and science fiction. As a lover of great stories, Maggie also loved movies.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Nyal and Victoria (Becker) Graf.
She is survived by daughters Sarah Ernst and Elizabeth Kardong, son-in-law Jesse Kardong, much-beloved grandson Justin Kardong, sister Christine Graf, and many cousins and friends.

Maggie’s family wishes to thank the many healthcare providers who were involved in her care over the last 18 years. In California, that includes the staff at the UCSF Breast Care Center and Dr. H. Rugo. In Wisconsin, Dr. T. Lee, Oncologist Dr. Z. Dar, Urologist Dr. M. Anderson, staff at Aurora’s Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, ThedaCare’s Hospice nurses, and staff at Heritage Hospice Residence, where Maggie resided for the last 4 months.

A memorial service for Maggie will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Oshkosh at 11:00 am. A short time of visitation will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, Maggie requested that memorials be directed to Lake Merritt United Methodist Church or Friends of Appleton Public Library.

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