Margaret Caroline Hessler

Following a long, brave battle with several different health challenges, Margaret Hessler said her final goodbyes to her close family members and passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Born Margaret Dow to John and Janet Cameron Dow of Waterford on July 14, 1937, she went on to live a full life filled with family, friends, travel and many years of lake-living. “Maggie,” as she was known to close friends and family, grew up in Waterford, Michigan and graduated from Waterford Kettering High School, before attending Michigan State University. While working as an executive assistant at McManus, John & Adams Advertising Agency in Bloomfield Hills, she met Norman Hosking, whom she married in 1960 and together, they had one daughter, Janet. Margaret later married Donald Gardhouse in 1967, who passed away in 1975. For 28 years until her retirement in 2002, she worked for Paul Inman & Associates in Farmington Hills and developed many long-lasting friendships.

In 1981, she began dating Fred Hessler, the brother of her close friend Martha. The two married in 1983, blending their lives and families, to begin a 43-year loving union. Together, Margaret and Fred built their dream home on Forest Lake in Alger and after years of visiting their beloved retreat on weekends while living in Southfield, they moved up-north full time following their retirements. They enjoyed snowmobiling, boating and traveling with many of their “up-north friends” and took many road trips to the Upper Peninsula. The couple also developed a love for cruising and took many memorable trips to Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. Margaret was an avid card player and enjoyed playing bridge until the final week of her life. Many memorable hours were also spent playing cards and board games, going on boat rides, sewing doll clothes, cross-stitching, calligraphy and spending holidays with her grandchildren.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Fred; daughter Janet (Jim) Stark and step-daughters Kim (Harold) Tresick and Cathy (Chris) Gatz; grandchildren Joe (Amy,) Crystal (Matt,) Steven (Kaitlyn,) Kelly (Andrew,) Ashley (Kevin,) Katelyn (Josh,) Sarah (Sam,) Alexis (Kegan,) Michael, Cecelia (Michael), Mackenzie, Cierra and Saniah, as well as 16 great-grandchildren. The family will receive guests on Thursday, August 27 at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home, 109 E Houghton Ave, West Branch, from 3 to 8 pm. The funeral service is planned for Friday, August 28 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 5315 Henderson Lake Rd, Prescott, Michigan at 11 am with a visitation hour beginning at 10 am and lunch served post-service. She will later be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s name to the American Cancer Society.