CHAPTER 14

Memorial

MARGARET (PEG) BRONSON

On a cold, snowy day, January 8, 1901, a baby daughter was born to John and Uretta Clarke in their small log farmhouse. They lived on the Saskatchewan, Canada prairie, near the village of Spy Hill. She was their only child and was named Anna Margaret Euretta, affectionately called Maggie as a child. She attended schools in Spy Hill until she was in grade ten when the family moved to Puyallup, Washington where she graduated from high school.

She joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on August 14, 1921 in Spy Hill and remained a faithful member all her life.

Peg met her future husband, Burr Basil Bronson, at church in Puyallup. Burr later moved to California but Peg stayed in Puyallup and worked until she went to California where they were married at the San Bernardino R.L.D.S. Church on March 28, 1928. This shy, only child became a member of the large, lively, Bronson family and became known as Peg or Peggy.

After marriage, they moved to the Seattle — Tacoma area where Barbara Beverly was born March 9, 1929 and Jack Basil was born June 16, 1931. Burr worked for the North West Coast Transportation Company and Peg remained a homemaker and mother. While living there, she went to classes, took the test and became a United States citizen.

As her mothers fragile health deteriorated, the little family moved to her parent's home in Puyallup so Peg could care for her mother full time.

By 1935 the depression was in full force and Burr lost his job. Being unable to find employment, Burr took their small savings and bought a little, rocky farm in the Missouri Ozarks, in Texas County, near where his two brothers had previously moved. He figured, at least he could raise food for his family. He left to prepare for the family. Four months later, Peg had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave her mother in a long term care facility, knowing she probably would never see her again and join Burr in Missouri. She drove with two pre—schoolers across the country in a 1930 Model A Ford, pulling a trailer with all their goods. Their third child, Margaret Joan, was born January 31, 1937 while they were living there.

World War II was declared and a general exodus of church friends and family began as people left the area for more lucrative defense jobs. Peg and Burr were the last of the Bronson families to leave and some of Burrs nieces and nephews were left with Peg and Burr so they could continue their education. Peg found herself caring for four extra teenagers as well as her own three children for two school years. She was a charter member of the Summersville R.L.D.S. Branch, she was also involved with starting 4-H and Extension Clubs in the community.

In 1944, the family moved to a farm near Knob Noster, Missouri where their youngest child, Richard Burr, was born April 20, 1945. Having lived in the rocky Ozarks, they hadn't realized how difficult travel would be over the two miles of mud roads to get out to firm gravel roads. So, in 1946 another move was made — this time to a farm north of Warrensburg and on good roads. Then, it was sold and they moved to a larger farm near Pittsville where they lived for twenty—five years.

During all this time, she was always active in the R.L.D.S. congregations where they lived, not only as pastor’s wife, but as woman’s leader, church school teacher and director, vacation church school principal, church organist and many years as the book steward.

Peg served as the cook at the local grade school for a year or two but most of her life she was a homemaker and helpmate to her husband on the farm, at times caring for a large flock of chickens, milking cows, feeding calves etc. She always canned and froze abundant food supplies from their large garden. Not only was she a loving, caring Mother to her children, but to numerous nieces, nephews, and foster children who lived in their home at various times and benefited from her care.

After Burr retired, they moved into a mobile home near their daughter, Barbara, in the Shawnee Mound community where they continued to be active in church affairs throughout Central Missouri Stake.

They traveled extensively during their retirement years, visiting Mexico, Canada and all 50 states except Delaware. They always attended the nearby R.L.D.S. church when traveling.

Even in retirement, Peg was always busy reading, studying, knitting, crocheting or quilt waking until her eyes and mind failed. Her hands were always full when she sat down. Her mother taught her to knit and from the time she could remember, she or her mother always knitted every pair of socks that her father ever wore. He had club feet and was unable to buy socks to fit. She loved to share her beautiful handwork. All her children and grandchildren have beautiful crocheted tablecloths that she created.

Burr died January 22, 1993 and a few months later Peg moved to live with her daughter, Barbara, and husband, L.G. She lived there until her health necessitated the move to the Warrensburg Manor Nursing Home. Later she was transferred to the Stockton Nursing Home to be near her daughter, Joan. She died there on January 16, 1999 at the age of ninety—two. Lovingly remembering her are; her 4 children and their spouses, Barbara and L.G. Hutchinson of Shawnee Mound, Missouri; Jack and Carol Bronson of Racine, Wisconsin; Joan and Jean Cox of Stockton, Missouri; and Dick and Theresa Bronson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.