Margaret Bulman
Margaret “Marge” A. Bulman, 90, of Spring Grove, MN, formerly of Dorchester, passed away peacefully surrounded by her three daughters Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. She was looking forward to being reunited with family and other loved ones in Heaven.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family of Margaret Bulman, P.O. Box 491, Spring Grove, MN 55974.
Margaret Ann Bratrud Bulman was born March 9, 1930 in the Village Creek area of Allamakee County to Ingvald and Inga (Olson) Bratrud. At age 3-1/2, Marge began school in Village Creek; she lived across the road from the school and wouldn’t stay away, always wandering over there until the teacher finally told her to start officially attending. In 1947, she graduated from Waterville High School and started at Luther College in Decorah in 1948 for teacher’s training.
Marge then taught at country schools and in Dorchester and Waukon schools, taking some time out to have children and stay at home with them for 10 years. After Marge went back to teaching, she continued her education through summer and night classes to finally earn her bachelor’s degree from Luther in 1985, which was something she was very proud of. Marge taught until 1992, retiring after 33 years. Many students benefited from Mrs. Bulman’s love of children and learning.
July 18, 1952, Marge married Loren Alton Bulman at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing, and they were married for almost 65 years. Marge and Loren had five children: twin boys Ricardo and Randall, who passed at birth, and three daughters, Jan, Sue and Kim. Marge was always thankful for Loren’s family and how supportive they were of each other.
They lived with Loren’s parents for 10 years until 1962, when they moved to their own farm two miles down the road in the English Bench area along the Upper Iowa River. The farm had much family history and Loren and Marge loved their life there; everyone was made to feel welcome and at home and people were always visiting and many fun times and get-togethers were held. Marge and Loren lived there until 2012, when they moved to Spring Grove, MN.
Marge loved cooking and entertaining. She was known as “Grandma Cookie” to the great-grandkids and published two cookbooks from her “Good Cooker” series. She also liked working in her garden and flower beds and enjoyed reading and sewing. Marge was active at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin and was clerk of sessions for 19 years and a member and past president of the UPW for a number of years. She also helped with many ice cream socials and other church functions. In 1981, Marge and Loren made a special trip to Norway, where she visited her 13 first cousins.
Marge wanted everyone to know that she felt blessed to have a wonderful life with her students, friends and family.
Survivors include her daughters: Jan (Ken) Ruben, Sue Kruse and Kim Bulman, all of Spring Grove, MN; her grandchildren: Kristin (Jonah) Ross, Jacob (Christine) Kruse, Lindsey (Derek) Nelson, Lauren Danielson and Alison Jahnke; a step-granddaughter, Aubrey McAlear; her great-grandchildren: Isabel and Hazel Ross, Addison, Ethan and Ava Kruse, Ryder Wiese and Sutton Bauer; step-great-granddaughters, Addyson and Lydia McAlear; her brother, Orville (Dorothy) Bratrud of Waukon; her sister-in-law, Grace Bulman of Eitzen, MN; and her brother-in-law, Robert (Marilyn) Bulman of Waukon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sons, Ricardo and Randall; her husband, Loren, in 2017; and her sisters- and brothers-in-law: Lois (Neal) Wiedenmann, Delbert (Eloise) Bulman, Dean Bulman and Shirley Bulman. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
