Marguerite (Wisner) Cushman Strommer was born on September 28, 1915 in Montevideo, MN to Roy and Genevieve (Happy) Wisner. She grew up in Montevideo and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1933. She was a spirited woman of many talents, which she continued to pursue all her life. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Roger Cushman, a grower and agriculturist, and together they built the Sunset Greenhouse on Benson Road in Montevideo. For twenty years they operated this business, including all aspects of floral design, gardening, nursery, and wedding and holiday specialties. During this time Marge became enamored with flying, along with her brother-in-law and instructor , Al Burmeister. She and Roger obtained their licenses and were among the first Montevidians to own and operate their own airplane - a Cessna - and hanger it in the new Montevideo Airport. They enjoyed many trips from coast to coast and border to border flying their plane. Marge was thrilled to become acquainted with Amelia Ehrart and to become a member of Amelia’s “99"s, honoring women pilots. After twenty years in the nursery business, they made the decision to sell the greenhouse and Marge put her talents and energy to use and established “The Yarn Shop”, teaching women the arts of knitting, crocheting and working with beautiful yarns and fabrics. Following this endeavor, Marge and Rog searched for a good retirement location, settling on Arizona. They spent many years wintering in Apache Junction and summering in Montevideo. While in Arizona, Marge spent time as the office manager of the retirement park where they lived. In the spring of 1978 on their way back to Montevideo, Rog died as a result of cancer in Dallas, TX. In September of 1979, Marge was united in marriage to Orrin Strommer, an old school friend and former Montevideo Chief of Police. They continued the Arizona/Minnesota lifestyle. Marge pursued her sewing hobby by operating a shop to help neighbors and friends. Together they enjoyed square dancing, gardening, entertaining, and traveling until Orrin became ill and died on New Year’s Eve of 1998. Marge continued to live in Arizona until 2004, when she made the decision to sell her home there and move back to Minnesota to be closer to her family and friends. She has been taken are of by a loving and caring staff at the Clarkfield Care Center for the past several years.
Marge is survived by her sister, Betty Burmeister and beloved niece, Susan Burmeister, both of Minneapolis, a devoted nephew, Steve Burmeister, his wife Wendy and their son, Ben of Duluth, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Roger Cushman in 1978 and Orrin Strommer in 1998.