Margarette Carolyn Snyder, affectionately known as Maggie, passed away on June 15, 2024, in the loving arms of her daughter Hope at Gundersen Health System.

Maggie was born February 29, 1948 to James and Clarabelle (Clara) Snyder in Sparta, WI. Shortly after Maggie was born the couple moved to La Crosse and then French Island, WI. She had two brothers, James and Jeffrey, and one sister, Debra. She attended Summit Elementary, Logan Junior High, and graduated from Logan High School in 1966.

On September 9, 1968 Maggie married Marvin Wayne Lawless. Although they later divorced, they remained friends until his death in 2017. The couple had two children together – Steven Wayne Lawless and Hope Virginia Jane Lawless.

In 2001, Maggie married Marlin Peterson (Pete) in her parent’s backyard. The couple divorced in 2023; however, they remained friends and enjoyed bantering back and forth. Marlin’s children and grandchildren considered Maggie as part of their family.

Maggie had a fulfilling career journey. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistance at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital for many years before transitioning to factory work. She was able to stop working when Hope was in Elementary School and went back to school at Western Technical College. She graduated with her associate degree in Accounting in 1983.

After graduation she started working at Best Business Services and when the owner retired, she become partners with Arthur McBain to purchase the business. Their partnership dissolved, and she opened her own bookkeeping business called Accredited Accounting. She ha clients that followed her through the years and she enjoyed seeing them every year during tax season. Her health forced her to stop completing tax returns in 2017.

In her personal life, Maggie was a dedicated mother to her daughter, Hope Lawless, and a loving sister to Debbie Shove and Jeff Snyder. She was also cherished by her granddaughter, Hailey, and nephews Larry and Christopher Shove. Maggie also became mom to Hope’s friend Tanya Hart and she often referred to Tanya as her bonus daughter.

Maggie was preceded in death by her son, Steven Wayne Lawless, her parents James and Clarabelle Snyder, her brother James Snyder, her sister-in-law Dawn Snyder, and her friend Marvin Lawless.

Maggie enjoyed spending her free time engaging in various hobbies such as cross-stitching, sewing, beading, reading, camping, fishing, gardening with a special love for flowers, and anything to do with football. It was Maggie’s love of learning and reading that led to Hope and Hailey’s love of school and learning.

One of Maggie’s biggest loves was her Green Bay Packers. She could be found in front of the television anytime the Packers played. She became a season ticket holder and loved attending games in person.

When she became physically unable to attend games, she sold her season tickets to family and friends without charging any more than she had paid for the tickets. She wanted others to experience the thrill of attending a Packers game in person.

Maggie was also known for her love of animals. Throughout her life she had numerous pets named Tony, Slicky, Alex, Tipsy, Missy, Cera, Klondike, Yukon, and her faithful companion Jake. Jake stayed by Maggie’s side during her declining health. He would sit in her room with her and watch for anyone he thought might harm his mom. He rolled his eyes at her television shows that included Say Yes to the Dress, Hallmark movies, soap operas, and her beloved Green Bay Packers.

During the final year of her life, Maggie lived with her daughter and her daughter’s significant other, Erik Gunderson. Erik unselfishly became Maggie’s caregiver and took her to her many appointments and made sure she never ran out of Diet A & W Root Beer, licorice, and her favorite treat ice cream.

Maggie will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and her memory will live on through the love and joy she shared with those around her. Maggie’s family would like to say thank you to her best friend, April Hucke, Inclusa team Sherry and Tom, and Gundersen Health System that allowed her to remain at home until the very end.