Margaret Semrad, the daughter of Joseph and Maggie (Benes) Bohaty, was born on July 11, 1910, in rural David City, Nebraska. She grew up near David City and attended Goldenrod District #57 school. Margaret graduated from David City High School in 1929, and attended one year of college at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska.
Margaret and Joseph Albert Semrad eloped on June 19, 1935, in Auburn, Nebraska; they stepped forward at a cousin’s wedding and were married. For a few years, Margaret taught school at Goldenrod and several other places. After World War II, she and Joseph moved to Harlan, Iowa. Margaret stayed home to raise the couple’s son; during that time, she also babysat for friends.
Joseph died on March 23, 1981, in Omaha, Nebraska. Margaret remained in Harlan until 1999, when she returned to David City.
Margaret was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Harlan, where she taught Sunday School. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, and playing cards.
Margaret Semrad died on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at David Place in David City, Nebraska, at the age of 97 years and 5 months.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by one son, Robert (Jeanne) Semrad of Brookings, South Dakota; two brothers, Joe (Dorothy) Bohaty of David City, Nebraska, and Frank Bohaty of Bruno, Nebraska; two sisters, Rose Montgue of David City, Nebraska, and Mildred (Gale) Vandenberg of Harlan, Iowa; two grandchildren, Rexford (Marion) Semrad of Brandon, Mississippi, and Charlotte (Trayce) Meyer of Bushnell, South Dakota; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 14, 2007, at First Baptist Church, Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Gundar Lamberts and Pastor Jeanne Semrad officiating. Helen Warren and Trayce Meyer were the musicians. Casket bearers were Michael Vandenberg, Allen Vandenberg, Jason Stinn, James Kloewer, Gale Kloewer, Andrew Kloewer, and Joe Vandenberg. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.