Harold Manfred Magnuson

Harold M. Magnuson, 84, known to everyone as Maggie, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Appleton Medical Center. Maggie was born in Seattle, Washington on December 23, 1924 to Knute and Edna Magnuson. When the United States entered WWII, he joined the U.S Navy Hospital Corps and eventually seconded into the Marines. He served in the Pacific theater, ending up in China. After the war, he started on the greatest adventure of his life when his sister Aloise introduced him to Jean Brewer, recently arrived from London, England. They were married on July 15, 1949 and celebrated sixty anniversaries together. Maggie became the first Magnuson to go to college. In 1958, he earned his Masters in English from the University of Washington. His love of language led him to a career as a college instructor, first in Warrensburg, Missouri and then at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In addition to his duties as an instructor, he helped found the universitys Faculty Senate and served a term as its president. In addition, to his academic career, Maggie has worked for the phone company, in home construction and, as a self-taught architect; he designed and built his dream house in 1967. When Maggie retired in 1990, he and Jean, already well-traveled, become globe-trotters. They toured Europe, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, Mexico, and all across the United States. As a natural story teller, Maggie also began writing a series of novels about Swedish immigrants, partially based on his familys experiences. Maggie is survived by his wife, Jean, his son, Tarn Magnuson, his daughter, Lisa Magnuson, his brothers-in-law, George Anderson and Milt Audett, his cousin, Sonja Solland and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister Aloise Audett, his sister-in-law, Marge Anderson, and his daughter, Kirsten, who died in infancy. Maggie is interred at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Barb Sniffen Faculty Governance Award, c/o the UW-Oshkosh Foundation (920-424-2178).

Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery



Hwy K off Hwy 22
King
WI
54946