Margaret Hedemark Obituary

"Mrs. Hedemark", as we knew her, is absolutely the best teacher I ever had-even through two countries, seven schools-she was inspiring, challenging, honest, compassionate, and WELL ahead of her time! Not until I had my own kids could I begin to appreciate her gusto for art projects made from found items (now we call it "upcycling"). We had beautiful holiday fare that we could proudly bring home or have displayed in our room. From old pantyhose stretched across hanger frames to make Thanksgiving turkeys, Reader's Digest Magazines-folded, painted & attached to toilet-paper rolls-became spectacular Xmas trees!) I spent four years at HT and she taught for three of them--how BLESSED can a student be? She engendered a sense of ability for EVERY child. When she heard tell that a Filipino student had endurd a racial slur at recess, she was angry and we KNEW it!-I still remember her leading that boy to the front of the class and declaring, "Look at John! He has BEAUTIFUL skin color, I wish I was that beautiful!"-long before "black is beautiful" had become a clarion call. And EVERY subject-she just knew how to reach us and TEACH us. Encouraging us with incentives, if we kept up pace each day, we were rewarded with her reading aloud a chapter from treasured classics like "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Little House in the Big Woods". I can still hear and feel the warmth of her voice as it drew us into the stories. Oh, that every child should have such a teacher. Even getting in trouble with her was a lesson. She would correct and discipline and DROP IT-I couldn't believe at first how she didn't hold past offenses against us and gave a myriad of "second" chances! There aren't enough words to capture the honor & esteem with which I hold this incredible woman of God. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Margaret always had a kind word and a warm smile. As I grew up next door, she was like a grandmother to me. We practiced our lessons on her piano and there was always something in the oven. Many of my childhood memories include her and Ted; Trips to the lake, graduation, summers at her kitchen table trying to get ahead for the next school year, neighborhood trivia parties that tended to get very competitive.

She loved the backyard chickens and hearing the rooster crow. She would call a greeting over the fence to the dogs.

I will miss her greatly, I loved her very much.

I shall always be indebted to Mrs. Hedemark for all of the encouragement and kindness she extended to me during my time as her student at Holy Trinity School (1977-80). She was a much loved point of reference whose goodness will never be forgotten.

Dear John and all the Hedemarks, my favorite memory of your mom is that she welcomed everyone into your home. What a great legacy. I hope that you all share many stories of loving memories made with your mom, grandmother, aunt - all the roles she played in your lives, and in the lives of all touched by the gift of her life. Tom Everson