Margit Hawn Asmus –“Margi,” age 82, formerly of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at BeeHive Homes in Oregon, WI.
She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on May 14, 1941, the eldest of three children born to Norman and Margaret Johnson. In the early 1950’s she and her family moved to the little town of Coleraine in northern Minnesota to be closer to family and where her Dad would practice dentistry.
Margit attended Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minnesota, graduating in 1959. She then pursued her education at Gustavus Adolphus College as an undergraduate and later obtained her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver. After completing her studies, Margit returned to the Madison area and worked as a social worker at Mendota Mental Health Institute.
Later in life, Margit resided with her husband Clarence and their three children on a farm in Monroe, Wisconsin. Once her children reached school age, in addition to working full-time as a Teacher’s Aide and being a mother, she attended night school at Whitewater to obtain her teaching degree. A Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2005-2006 award recipient and Herb Kohl Education Foundation Teacher Fellowship Award winner, Margit taught Study Skills at the Monroe Junior High School for the next 25 plus years. After her retirement, she continued her association with the Monroe School District as a substitute teacher for several years.
Margit was an avid reader, daily swimmer, dedicated educator, animal lover-especially to her Grand pets-Max, Lemmy and Scout, sports enthusiast-an especially rabid fan of Wisconsin Badger football and basketball and the Minnesota Vikings and loved wearing team colors during games. Every Christmas despite the weather, she and her family traveled to Minnesota to celebrate Christmas with her family. She especially enjoyed summer trips to the family cabin at Hartley Lake in northern Minnesota, bravely getting up at 4 a.m. in the morning to fish with her sister, and picking wild blueberries. She was never bored and rarely seen without a book in her hand, oftentimes, whilst twirling her hair. She also loved to garden, cross-stitch Christmas ornaments for her kids, and knit.
She is survived by her children Liana, Amy, and Brian Asmus; her younger sister Lieschen (Darrel) Hecimovich; and brother Cavour (Bobbi) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Norman Johnson, and her husband, Clarence.
Margi will always be remembered as being smart, thoughtful, and caring to all.
The family is especially thankful for the kindness and care Margit received at the Beehive in Oregon, Wisconsin, where she received such nurturing care during her final days. A special thank you also to Agrace Hospice for their gentle care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in Margit’s name to Agrace Hospice Care, Alzheimer’s research, or can be sent to Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st Avenue, Monroe. Online condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
