Margaret Elaine Bowden Vail

PORTAGE – Margaret Elaine Bowden Vail, age 98, of Portage, formerly of Platteville and Madison, died on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at The Tivoli Community in Portage.

Margaret E. Vail was born on February 7, 1927, in Cuba City, the daughter of John Delos and Mildred Eunice (Dearth) Bowden.  She married Amza Crane Vail, of Benton, in 1952.

She grew up in Cuba City, where she graduated from high school in 1945.  She attended Bayless Business College in Dubuque.  Margaret was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and seven brothers (John, Warren, Fred, Lawrence (Tud), Philip, Truman, and Lloyd).  She is survived by her children, William Banks, and Rebecca Jane; sister, Mary; extended family, Dona Schwichtenberg and Andy Limpel; and 30 nieces and nephews.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is in charge of arrangements.

No services will be held, with burial in the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Benton.