She was the eldest of seven children and attended Country School District 6 (grades 1-8), Memphis High School (grades 9-10), and Ashland High School (grades 11–12). Following graduation in May of 1943, Margaret moved to Lincoln and worked as a Nurse Aide at Lincoln General Hospital and as a factory worker during the war years at Western Electric. Later, she went to California School of Beauty from 1946-1947, received her license, and worked as a hairdresser in Gretna and Lincoln.
Margaret met Voyne Ernest Weers and married on October 10, 1948, at American Lutheran Church, where she was later baptized and confirmed on December 19, 1948. The couple moved to Kansas City, MO, where Voyne went to Body and Fender School through the GI Bill. Upon completion, they moved back to Lincoln, where she worked at Elgin Watch until the birth of their daughter, Teresa, in April of 1955. In 1955, they bought a home on West Washington in Lincoln, and had a son, Dick Ernest, in June of 1959. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, was active in the Parent Teacher’s Association, started the first Brownie and Junior Girl Scout troops, in the West A area, and the first neighborhood watch.
Upon the death of her husband, Voyne, in August of 1963, she went to work for Lincoln Public Schools as a food service worker. She became Assistant Manager at Irving Jr. High and took classes at Nebraska Technical College (which later became Southeast Community College) to become a Food Service Manager. Margaret was an example of hard work and perseverance, as she worked two jobs most of her career, as Food Service Manager for Irving School, then Southeast High School, and part-time at Leon’s Deli, until she retired in 1993.
Margaret was active in the church teaching Sunday School, Confirmation, served on the Church Council, Alter Guild, and Alter Care committees. Upon retirement, she attended Adult Sunday School and joined Senior Striders where she walked over 8000 miles. She loved her family and often took care of her grandchildren. She liked to travel and enjoyed a cruise to Alaska in 2003. She did hospital visitations for Lutheran Family Services, helped mail newsletters for Pioneer Nature Center, and served as Lay Minister for American Lutheran Church giving Communion to shut ins.
In May of 2020, Margaret moved to The Waterford Assisted Living where she enjoyed the company of friends until her death on January 17, 2023, at the age of 96.
She was preceded in death by; husband, Voyne, her parents, brothers John, Tom, and Riley Wollen, sisters Mary Moore and Barabra Caldwell, son-in-law Greg Volkmer, and grandson Jeremy Conkel.
She is survived by her sister Martha Carlson (husband Charlie), daughter Teresa Volkmer, son Dick Weers (wife Yvonne), grandson Richard Weers (wife Kalyn), granddaughter Emily Kaup (husband Brandon), granddaughter-in-law Danielle Conkel, and 4 great grandchildren: Harlee Conkel, McKinley Kaup, Kaden Weers, Kaleb Weers, and many nieces and nephews.
In leu of flowers, please send memorials in her honor to American Lutheran Church, The American Cancer Society, and The American Heart Association.
Memorial service: 10:00 a.m. Thursday (1-26-23) American Lutheran Church, 4200 Vine Street.