Margaret Bloomquist

Margaret "Peg" Bloomquist, 84, of Topeka, died April 6, 2012 at her daughter?s home in Topeka, Kansas. She was being cared for by her children and Grace Hospice. For the last few months, her primary caregiver was her daughter-in-law Kat. Prior to a stroke on March 20, Peg was in her own home where she lived for 62 years. She was a friend to neighbors, especially Jean Curley and Geneva Brown. Margaret was born in rural Pottawatomie County, Kansas on April 25, 1927, the daughter of Thomas and Madeline (McHaughy) Roach, 100% Irish decent. She grew up on a farm along with four sisters, Mary, Virginia, Geraldine, and Loretta. The family attended St. Patrick?s Catholic Church at Lillis, Kansas. She graduated from Lillis High School. On July 7, 1947, Margaret married John Steven Bloomquist of rural Osage County, Kansas. They made their home east of Topeka where they raised a family. Peg and Johnnie enjoyed gardening, square-dancing, bowling, camping and fishing. They were longtime members of Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka. Peg devoted her life to caring for her family of origin and later generations. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and grandma. Left on earth to cherish her memory are: a son John Steven Jr. and his wife Kathleen "Kat" Bloomquist, a daughter Constance "Connie" Adams , all of Topeka, a nephew Brian Davis of Kansas City, 5 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 13 step great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. In addition to her husband John, Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son Carl, all four sisters, nephew Patrick Davis, a son-in-law Al Adams, and a great-great granddaughter Ezra Bloomquist. Peggy was a stay-at-home mom while Steve and Connie were young. For 10 years, she was employed at the Woolworth store in White Lakes Mall. Later, she worked for over 20 years at the Topeka warehouse office of Volume Shoe Corporation (Payless Shoe Source), until her retirement in 1992. She helped raise two nephews, three granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. Mrs. Bloomquist will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral home on Tuesday, where the family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Osage City, Kansas. Memorial contributions in Margaret?s memory may be made to Grace Hospice and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.