Margaret attended West Branch High School in West Branch, Michigan. She was a majorette in the band and played the oboe. She also performed with the Interlochen Center for the Performing Arts as a member of the symphony orchestra. Once she completed her education, Margaret moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where she met her soon-to-be husband, James Warden. The couple married in 1957 in West Branch at the Methodist Church. They moved to Dexter where they raised their family and went on memorable road trips throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Throughout her life she was an active member in the Dexter community and was involved with the Dexter PTO, Band Boosters, The March of Dimes, and The United Way. She served as chairwoman of the Dexter Blood Bank and president of the Dexter Jaycettes where she was named Outstanding Woman of the Year. She was named Dexter’s Outstanding Young Woman by the Huron Valley Girl Scouts where she worked as a troop organizer.
She was active for many years with various horse organizations. She was a 4-H leader and served on committees for the Michigan Quarter Horse Association and the Michigan Horse Council. In 2003, she was named Volunteer of the Year and she and Jim were presented with the Catalyst Award from the Michigan Horse Council in 2016.
Throughout her professional life, Margaret was a woman who truly loved her work as a bookkeeper and would continue to work into her 80’s on a part-time basis.
She was a woman of strong faith and was an active member of the Dexter United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She joined various church groups and sang in the church choir. She and Jim also enjoyed many opportunities to travel with church friends.
Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and is survived by her husband, James Warden; daughter Lori Rosa (Gary); son Lance Warden (Martha); daughter Lynne Comstock (Christopher); brother Richard Florance (Jan); and 11 grandchildren: Ryan Rosa, Brendan Rosa, Andrew Rosa, Katie Rosa, Nico Warden, Alicia Warden, Jordan Comstock, Tara Comstock, Paige Comstock, Carly Comstock and Haley Comstock. Margaret was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Dorn, father Harry Harness, and sister Mary Palmer.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the Dexter United Methodist Church, 7643 Huron River Drive, Dexter, MI 48130. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. The family asks those who will be in attendance to please wear a face mask.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Margaret's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hosmermuehlig.com for the Warden family.
