Obituary of Margaret Castleman

CASTLEMAN MARGARET Margaret Castleman, age 92, of Yankton, SD, formerly of Oakland, Modesto and Windsor, CA, passed away December 15, 2016 peacefully at home surrounded by family and Mokey (her cat). At her request, there will be no services held. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting the services for the family. Margaret was born on February 22, 1924 in Murray, Utah to Anton and Anna (Puchar) Godnick. She was the youngest of eight children. She was removed from school in the sixth grade to stay home to take care of her mother who was bedridden. Margaret left home in 1941 and moved to California. She hired out with the Southern Pacific Railroad in January of 1944 where she met the love her life, Bill Castleman, Jr. They were married on July 6, 1944. To this union, there were four children born. Bill passed away on January 6, 2006 after 63 1/2 years together. In 1970, she was promoted to Chief Crew Dispatcher and then in 1978 Margaret was promoted to Manager of Crew Dispatcher and Timekeeping Services. In 1984, she retired from the railroad after 40 years of service. She was one of the first woman managers for the railroad which she always said was a great achievement for a woman with only a sixth grade education. In her 30 years of retirement, she enjoyed her family, traveling, shopping, her cat and bowling to the age of 92. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Pamela Mullins of Windsor, CA, William A Castleman III of San Antonio, TX and Penny (Preston) Hofmann of Yankton, SD; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews, great-nieces & nephews and the latest love of her life, Mokey (her cat). She was preceded in death by her husband, her son James Anton (age six months), her parents and siblings. The family has requested donations can be made to your local Humane Society in Margaret's memory.