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Margaret Hastings

September 11, 2017
Kalamazoo, MI

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Margaret Ann Hastings, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away Monday, September 11, 2017 at the age of 90. Margaret was born December 12, 1926 in Madison, WI to the late Ingvald and Selma (Simonson) Oliverson. The young Ingvald Oliverson emigrated to the U.S. from Stavanger Norway, settled in Madison, WI and married Selma. Margaret was the 1st of four children and her entire childhood was spent in Madison. Margaret was proud of her family heritage. Her parents taught her to love the outdoors; she learned to ice skate at a young age and walked to school in many cold Wisconsin winters. She attended Sherman School in Madison and met James Hastings in the 8th grade. James underwent Navy V-12 training at WMU in 1944-1945, then returned to Madison and graduated from the University of Wisconsin School Of Pharmacy. Margaret and Jim were united in marriage in 1947 and they moved to Kalamazoo where James took employment at the Upjohn Company in 1950. Margaret and James lived in Kalamazoo and also spent many years raising their 3 children, Nancy (Harold) Elkan, Laura (Fraser) MacKay and Jeff Hastings, in Portage, MI. Soon after arriving in Kalamazoo, they joined the First United Methodist Church where they made many lifelong friends from their beloved Searchers' group. Their faith enhanced their marriage: Margaret was an active member of her church circle. She also belonged to the local Sons of Norway. She enjoyed tennis, bridge, skiing, walking, knitting, sewing and reading. In 2015, Margaret and James moved to where they made new friends: this was a delight to Margaret. Margaret led an independent life until her peaceful death. Margaret is survived by James, their children, her two sisters: Jean Roark and Connie Perra from Madison WI and nephews Mike Roark, David [Sally] Roark, and Carol [Patrick] McGowan. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Oliverson. Margaret's optimism, love of friends, family, faith and belief in prayer allowed her special light to shine and she always would seek to be her best. She encouraged the same for others around her. Margaret will be missed but not forgotten. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 19th, 11:00am in the Kiva Room at , 1400 N. Drake Rd. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Memorials may be directed to Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church or to .