Margaret Ann Bierschwale went to be eternally with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 9, 2024 – following her late husband Rev. Milton Curtis Bierschwale. She was born December 18,1931 in Port Arthur Texas to Rev. Malcolm and Inez Purcell. She attended school in Port Arthur along with sister Caroline, and brother John, until they moved to West University Place in the Houston area in 1945. She went to middle & high school there graduating in 1950 from Lamar High School.

Margaret worked summers at Presbyterian sites in the Kerrville/Hunt area (including Mo- Ranch) and the YWCA in Houston before enrolling at Austin College in Sherman, TX. She and sister Caroline traveled north to a Presbytery of Chicago affiliated camp in Saugatuck, MI for two summers on Lake Michigan. She met her future husband, Milton Bierschwale at a wedding of mutual friends. After courting long distance, she earned an Education degree from Austin College, Milton completed Austin Seminary, and they married in 1954. They lived in multiple church locations (including West Columbia, Nocona, Caldwell, & Premont). Margaret began teaching in Premont and continued when they moved to live in and serve Fredericksburg and Harper starting in 1974. They left Fredericksburg after 8 years moving a bit southeast to Woodsboro and Yorktown where she also taught. Her interest throughout life in her & Milton's heritage led her on some rewarding trips to Germany and England/Scotland.

After both retired, they returned to Fredericksburg in 1989 where they had lived previously which was also close to Milton's boyhood home and his roots in Segovia Texas. He and Margaret enjoyed square dancing, both sang in the church choir, and visited nursing homes where they could both apply their love of music and the Lord. She regularly attended reunions of Milton's WWII bomber group across the U.S. She enjoyed connecting with other retired teachers and loved volunteering at the Hill Country Memorial Hospice Thrift Shop and Good Samaritan Center. Margaret was always up for dominos, card & board games with neighbors, family, and even most recently in Assisted living at Heritage Place.

Margaret is survived by three sons: Bill and wife Lori of Tennessee, David and wife Carol of Montana, and John and wife Nancy of Colorado; five grandchildren; her brother John Purcell and wife Nita of the Woodlands Texas; and several cherished nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Good Samaritan Center in Fredericksburg, the Presbyterian Children's Home and Services, or charity of your choice.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 13 6 – 8:00 pm at Fredericksburg Funeral Home. A memorial service will be following day Friday, June 14 11:00 am at Memorial Presbyterian Church and a burial ceremony will follow later at Junction Cemetery at 3:00 pm.