Margaret A. Viau

Margaret was born on September 4, 1942 in Escanaba, daughter of Joseph Arthur and Marie Lillian (Neault) Potvin. She attended Holy Name High School and graduated in 1960. She then attended the Wisconsin Accredited School of Cosmetology. After graduating from cosmetology school, Margaret worked at Hurley’s Beauty Salon and at Potvin’s Tavern.

On November 6, 1971 Margaret married Kenneth T. Viau at the Salem Lutheran Church in Bark River. They spent 53 years together before her passing.

She then began cooking for Bark River Schools and opened her own catering business, Margaret Viau Catering. She catered and cooked for 20 years before “retiring” but would always have a meal prepared for her family as bait to reel them in.

Cooking, shopping, decorating, reading, and traveling with her husband, Ken, were some of her favorite activities. She also enjoyed ATV rides, spending time with friends, camping, fishing, and hunting partridge with her grandkids. She was the world’s best (great) grandma; making sure all of her (great) grandkids knew how to make cookies, crochet, and sew. Margaret was also known to utilize whatever means necessary to win at Skip-Bo. She was the best at welcoming new family into the fold and ensuring that each one of her family knew they were loved. She had a way of making childhood magical and memorable for all of her children and grandchildren.

Margaret poured her love into her community, family and church through food and action. One could not compute the amount of money raised or volume of camaraderie shared through various fundraisers. She will be best known for her homemade food. One would be hard-pressed to recall a bad meal at school, in catering, or at home. She made sure that no child went hungry or felt unloved at BRH during her tenure as school cook. As many can attest, she was frequently the ear and the wise advisor for those that didn’t have a role model they could trust.

Among survivors include her loving husband, Ken; children, John (Kaelyn) Viau, Joe (Emily) Viau, and Danielle (Kevin) LeBoeuf; grandchildren, Dustin, Alyssa, Eric, and Katie Viau, Mikaela Jefferson, Laura McKenna, Brendan (Caitlyn), Allen (Brianna), and Anna LeBoeuf, and Sam and Nick (Beth) Dwyer; great-grandchildren, Onyx, Ava, and Bradley; along with many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Along with her parents, Margaret is preceded in death by her four brothers, Jack, Joe, Jim, and George Potvin.

Visitation will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1216 12th Rd, Bark River, MI 49807 on Monday, May 5 from 1 until 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow with Rev. Rick Courier and Rev. Darryl Pepin concelebrating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to the BRH “Margaret Memorial Fund” to be created soon. The money will be used to keep her spirit alive by supporting kids in need. Donations can be made to PO Box 350, Harris, MI 49845. Messages of condolence can be directed to the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Viau family.