Margaret J.

Schleusener

Orchard — Margaret Jane Schleusener, 91, of Orchard, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at Alpine Village in Verdigre.

Visitation was held Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a prayer service.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Faith Community Church in O'Neill. Pastor Paul Harder officiated.

Burial was in the Orchard Hill Cemetery in Orchard.

Memorials may be made to the Faith Community Church in O'Neill or the Orchard Historical Society in Orchard in Margaret's name.

Margaret was born on Oct. 12, 1934, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Gordon and Julia (Anderson) Drayton. She attended grade school in Orchard and graduated from Orchard High School in 1952. During high school, Margaret was a cheerleader and played the flute in the band. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she was a proud member of the Tri-Delta Sorority and earned her degree in home economics.

On Dec. 22, 1956, Margaret married the love of her life Lyle Schleusener at the Methodist Church in Orchard. To this union three daughters were born Shari, Robin and Julie. The couple made their home in Orchard, where they raised their family. In 2019, Margaret and Lyle moved to The Evergreen Assisted Living in O'Neill.

Margaret taught for a short time at Plainview High School before becoming a substitute teacher for many years at Orchard High School. She was always eager to lend a helping hand and volunteered for numerous school and community events.

She was an active member of the Orchard Historical Society and enjoyed many years of bowling in O'Neill with the Bank of Orchard bowling team. Margaret was also an avid bridge player and cherished the friendships she made through those gatherings.

A talented seamstress, Margaret made many of her daughters' clothes when they were growing up and later found joy in sewing baby blankets. She also loved cooking and sharing her creations with family and friends.

Margaret will be remembered for her warmth, kindness and lifelong dedication to her family and community.

Margaret Jane is survived by her three daughters Shari (Greg) Mattern of Sioux Falls, SD, Robin (Mike) Stevens of Lincoln and Julie (Gary) Beecroft of Siren, WI; five grandchildren Joshua (Stacie) Mattern, Christopher (Jamie) Mattern, Melanie (Ryan) Van Tol, Angie Stevens (Nick Mortenson) and Amy (Blaine) Martin; many great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law Merle (Kay) Schleusener of Bettendorf, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Schleusener in 2022 her parents Gordon and Julia Drayton and one cousin Marianne Means.