Obituary of Margaret M. Caldwell
(nee Bakken)
"Marge"
Age 90. Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, IL. She was born March 13, 1931, in Chicago, IL to the late John and Florence (nee Chambers) Bakken.
Preceded by her parents; husband, William J. Caldwell; brothers, John Bakken III and Arthur Bakken; sister, Anna Doogan; and her granddaughter, Sherry Lynn Cowan.
Survived by her children, Wayne (Jilda) Lange of Jackson, GA, Lois "Tami" Cowan of Ottawa, IL and Peggy (Karl) Gelinas of Smithville, MO, James Smith of Seneca, IL; step-son, James "Bill" (Margaret “Miki”) Caldwell of White Salmon, WA; step-daughter, Candice Woods of Springfield, IL; grandchildren, Jeremy (Joanna) Lange, Eric (Cindy Abraham) Lange, Kirstin (Jonathan) Bradberry, Josh (Nikki) Rosendahl, Steven (Kylie Adams) Cowan, Elaina “Lainey” Gelinas, and Robert “RJ” Gelinas; nine great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Donna) Bakken; sisters, Hazel Spraggins, Esther Doogan, Dorothy Stanley and Blanche (Bill) Muffler and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Marge was very patriotic and was proud to serve as one of the “Rosie the Riveters” during WWII. She never knew a stranger and loved to talk. Family meant everything to her and said her eight brothers and sisters were “thicker than thieves.” She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and enjoyed keeping up with all of them, all the way down to her great-great-grandchildren. A game of Yahtzee, Bingo, Pinochle and other card games, and Sudoku were a favorite past-time. She also loved to travel and spent many winters casino hopping near Biloxi, MS. She was known locally as “Marge the Singing Bartender” working at Sis’ Downtown and Morris Country Club. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Visitation for Margaret M. ‘Marge” Caldwell will be Sunday, December 19, 2021, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 1201 W. Route 6 at Deerpath Dr., Morris. Additional visitation will be Monday, December 20, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Seneca, IL.
The family has requested to live stream the services of their loved one on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Please click on this link (https://youtu.be/a7wQ_M-y_6w) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Red Cross in her name would be appreciated.
For information please call (815) 942-5040 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
