Margaret A. Cranston, 68

Margaret Cranston passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 2:26 p.m. Margaret was born on March 12, 1947 to the parents of Lawrence and Helen Fowler in Vinton, Iowa. Margaret attended school in Dysart, IA and later received her GED in 1979.

Margaret married Larry Cranston on November 21, 1964. Larry and Margaret were blessed with four children and later adopted a son Daniel Aaron Cranston.

Margaret had her first job working at the Ben Franklin store in Dysart, IA where she lived. Margaret also worked other jobs which included: working for a family named Bob and Fern Hach, taking care of their children; and for Bill and Donna Matthiesen where she helped take care of their children and got their horses ready for horse shows. She worked at the coffee shop waitressing, was a Home Interior Hostess, and worked retail at Herberger’s department store at the Crossroads Mall in Waterloo, IA along with many other jobs not mentioned.

Margaret and Larry became foster parents in 1976 and continued until 1982. They had 56 foster children during that time period.

Margaret had a passion for serving others. She always put not only her family, but others in need first. Margaret was a humble, Godly person who showed compassion for the lost and hurting and would always go above and beyond to do just about anything for someone who was in need. Her love for Christ and her walk with the Lord was profoundly shown as she was always smiling and sharing the plan of salvation.

Margaret’s hobbies were baking, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Helen Fowler, a son Danily Aaron Cranstion and a brother Dick Manley. She is survived by her husband Larry Cranston; three daughters Sharla Davis and Renee Sawyer, both of Waterloo, IA, and Andrea Sharp of Springfield, MO; and son Chad (Heidi) Cranston of Evansdale, IA; ten grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; seven brothers; and three sisters.