Margaret A. Stratton, 93 of Collins, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at her home on the farm she loved.

Margaret was born June 29, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Laura Rosetta (Neal) Maxwell. She grew up between Ashton Chapel and Ashton County School north of Mingo, Iowa. She graduated 8th grade from Ashton County School in 1944 and Collins High School in 1948. After graduation she worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines living at Young Women's Business Home. Margaret was united in marriage to Ronald Stratton in 1952 at Collins United Methodist Church. They lived on their farm south of Collins raising five children, hogs, cattle, and sheep. Margaret went to work in 1968 as a certified nursing assistant at Story County Hospital and later at Senior Care, retiring in 2013. She was known for the loving tender care she provided.

Margaret enjoyed raising a large garden and strawberry patch. She did lots of canning, providing for her family. She cherished her family, helping with field work, livestock, tending to her flower beds, bird watching, traveling with the bank travel club, and listening to gospel music and the old hymns. She especially loved Ashton Sunday School and church. She was a 70-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Margaret is survived by her husband Ronald of 71 years; her sons: Dennis (Nancy) Stratton of rural Collins, Wayne (Eva) Stratton of Davenport her daughter: Karen Stratton of Collins and her daughter in law: Dian Stratton of Collins, her eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; her sisters: Ann Maxwell-Zartman, Daisy Mary Swanson, Carol Hedges and Patricia Lundquist. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sons James Craig Stratton and Neal Keith Stratton, her sister; Frances Smith and her brother; Ronald Maxwell.

A visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, at Ashton Chapel (8887 W 122nd Street) near Mingo. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Collins.

Memorials may be made to Ashton Chapel in memory of Margaret.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com