Margaret Carol Bentz

Margaret was born on December 16, 1944, in Racine, Wisconsin, the beloved daughter of the late Dale and Alice (Brien) Grant. She spent her early years in Racine and graduated from St. Catherine’s Catholic School. She attended the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and later in her life, she proudly completed her degree in Education.

Margaret married and made her home in La Crosse, where she lovingly raised her two daughters. She was a devoted wife and mother, always putting her family first. In 1990, she moved to West Allis, Wisconsin, to be closer to where her daughters lived and to her sisters in Racine. There, she worked for many years as an assistant teacher, later finding great joy in her work at Aurora Health Care, where she built lasting friendships and truly loved her coworkers. She enjoyed living close to her oldest daughter, Teresa, and her three grandchildren in Madison, WI and also visiting her youngest daughter, Kathy, in Charlotte, NC to see her four grandchildren there.

In March 2020, Margaret retired and relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be near Kathy and her family. Though her move came a bit earlier than expected due to the pandemic, Margaret embraced retirement with enthusiasm. She treasured time with her family, attended exercise classes with friends while enjoying the socializing it provided, and indulged her love for plays, musicals, and movies.

A lifelong learner, Margaret was passionate about reading, history, travel, and meeting new people. She had a sharp mind, a quick wit, and a warm, engaging personality. Margaret was a natural storyteller, joke-teller and conversationalist—someone who never met a stranger and who made friends wherever she went. Within moments, she could learn someone’s life story and leave a lasting impression with her kindness and humor. Her friendships were deeply meaningful to her, and she cherished everyone who came into her life. Margaret was an avid sports fan who cheered passionately for her beloved Green Bay Packers and the UW Badgers, but her greatest joy came from attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, where she was always their biggest fan.

Above all, Margaret will be remembered as a sweet, caring, and devoted mother. She was endlessly proud of her two daughters and seven grandchildren, whom she considered her greatest joy and most important accomplishment. She was their biggest cheerleader and most steadfast advocate.

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Teresa Christianson (Randy) and Kathy Cater (C.D.); her beloved grandchildren, Brandon Toman, Michael Toman, Cody Cater, Dillon Cater, Kate Cater, Olivia Christianson, and Cole Cater; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her four siblings: Marie Krescanko, George Grant, John Grant, and Janet Janaky. Margaret will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

● A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father John Allen in the Daily Mass Chapel of St. Matthews Catholic Church (8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy) in Charlotte, NC on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 at 1pm. Visitation will begin at 12:15pm.

● A private interment will be held at the Mausoleum at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Racine, WI.

● A Luncheon & Memorial Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at the Reefpoint Brew House in Racine, WI (2 Christopher Columbus Cswy) on Friday, July 11th, 2025. Guests may arrive at Noon with the Memorial Celebration starting at 12:30p and lunch to follow.

Online condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevillechapel.com