Born November 14, 1915, in New Rockford, ND to Peter and Anna Prader, Margaret came to California at age 5 along with her two older brothers and sister to join other members of their family in Visalia. Her father and the two brothers built a home at the corner of Garden Street and Tulare Avenue where they lived for many years. Margaret attended Washington Elementary School and Visalia Union High School, graduating in 1933. She passed away with her family at her side on February 11, 2013.
Margaret married Johnny Lynd in 1938. John was stationed in Papua New Guinea during WWII and Margaret remained in Visalia in their new home on Kaweah Avenue in Visalia. She worked for Southern California Gas Company for 13 years.
John and Margaret went into the furniture business in 1947, opening a small store in Hanford then expanding to several sites in the Visalia area. Margaret took care of the books. For the next 50 years the Lynd family decorated thousands of homes in Central California and the Coast. In 1997 we closed the store so Mom at age 80, would quit coming to work every day. Every member of our family: daughters, grandsons, nephews and cousins served their turn working at the furniture store.
In the early 60’s Margaret and John purchased the Orange Julius franchise in the Visalia Fair Mall and scores of young people, including all their daughters got their first working experience there. The Lynd’s were super people to work for.
Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s their home was open to many foster children, semi-professional baseball players and college students and, of course, all our friends. And everyone called her “Mom”.
She was preceded in death by her husband John of almost 40 years and a granddaughter Lena Loyd.
For the past 10 years Margaret has lived with her youngest daughter Janet where she was treated like the precious Queen Mother that she was. She enjoyed listening to books-on-tape and frequent visits from family and friends. She loved being a member of Trinity United Christian Reformed Church and especially the music there. Donations can be made to the church music program in her name.
Margaret is survived by daughters Patty Lynd-Weeks of Visalia, Gail Lowe of Fresno, Suzi Boyd of Graham, WA and Janet Saroyan of Tulare. She has 9 grand children, 8 great grandchildren, one great great grandson and a huge extended family.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Trinity United Reformed Church on West Walnut in Visalia with memorial services beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Visalia District Cemetery.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.
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