Margaret Grace Josserand

Margaret Grace Josserand, age 90, of Johnson, Kansas passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. She was born May 31, 1923 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Mildred Brown Miller.

She attended Syracuse schools for most of her education, before graduating from Manhattan High School. She then pursued her education at Kansas State University. Margaret and Ivan Lee Josserand were married on July 22, 1945 in Syracuse, Kansas. The couple moved to Johnson Kansas, where they were actively involved in farming and ranching. Margaret and Ivan were honored as pioneers of the year in the 1998 Stanton County Pioneer Day celebration. Their marriage lasted 58 years until Ivan’s death in 2003. Margaret was an active member of the Johnson community for nearly 70 years. She shared her faith through tireless good works, and unconditional acts of love, generosity, tolerance, and compassion. Margaret’s greatest joys were in the accomplishments and activities of her family and the many people in the community with whom she maintained ties. Her life truly reflected her middle name. As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Johnson, she served as a trustee, was President of United Methodist Women’s, and taught Sunday School for many years. At the Church, Margaret worked with a taskforce, which was instrumental in starting the Learning Tree Preschool. Margaret was a Past Worthy Matron of Order of the Eastern Star. She joined the Cosmos Club in 1945, and was an active member for 67 years. She received her 50-year pin from the P.E.O. Chapter AI, of Syracuse, Kansas. Margaret spent years as a Brownie and Cub Scout leader, enjoying working with children. Margaret volunteered as a leader for years after her children were no longer participants in these programs. Margaret was an avid reader, and shared this interest with her book club until the end of her life. Margaret was involved in the planning and construction phases of the Stanton County Library and continued with service on the board of directors. She also served on the board of directors for the Stanton County Community Concert Series, and the Learning Tree Preschool. In addition to her volunteer work, Margaret was the City Clerk for the City of Johnson for 15 years.

She is survived by her children: Michael Wayne Josserand and his wife Barbara, of Castle Rock, Colorado; Cynthia Ann Josserand and her husband Dean Franks, of Honolulu, Hawaii; Patrick Lee Josserand and his wife Noreen, of Johnson, Kansas; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother in law, O.W. Josserand; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret Grace Josserand was preceded in death by her husband Ivan, her parents, Grover and Mildred Miller, and her sister, Naomi Grissom.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 7, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson, Kansas with Reverend Richard Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with family present from 6;00 PM until 8:00 PM, on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Learning Tree Preschool of the First United Methodist Church of Johnson or the Stanton County Library in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.