Margaret Louise Ahl

Obituary

Margaret Louise Anderson Ahl was born September 26, 1920, at her family’s farm home in Preston Lake Township, Renville County, Minnesota, the daughter of Herman and Ellen (Elin Rost) Anderson.  She was baptized on November 11, 1920, and confirmed in her faith on April 14, 1935, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart by Rev. C. H. Kowalske.  Margaret attended grades 1 – 8 at Rural District #132, and graduated from the Stewart High School on June 2, 1938.

On June 2, 1946, Margaret was united in marriage to Wendell W. “Swen” Ahl at the First Lutheran Church in Hector by Rev. Ralph Nelson. They made their home in Hector where they raised their four daughters, Jean, Nancy, Peg, and Sylvia.   Margaret loved being a mom and homemaker.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing and quilting.  She was a bird watcher and gardener through the years, and everyone admired her beautiful flower gardens. Margaret and Swen had shared 51 years of marriage before he passed away in 1997.

Margaret was well known as a Hector Historian.  She had a brilliant memory of Hector through the years, of both businesses and people. She enjoyed genealogy and Hector history, and documented the changes throughout the years.  Her documentation resulted in a great number of books and albums for both family history, and Hector information and pictures.  Margaret loved to share her knowledge with others when asked, and was a great source of information for the Hector Businesses 1878 to 2013 publication.

Margaret was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Hector.  She was proud of her Swedish heritage, and celebrated Swedish traditions, especially at Christmas time.

The last six weeks of Margaret’s life were spent at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center.  She peacefully passed away there on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2015, having reached the age of 94 years.  Blessed be her memory. 

Margaret is survived by her Daughters: Jean Bauwens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nancy Buss of Antioch, California, Peg Markgraf and her Husband Steve of Watertown, Minnesota, and Sylvia Block of Hutchinson, Minnesota; Grandchildren:  Wenda, Brad, Shane, Misty, Nichole (Rick), Travis, Matthew, Darren, and Michael (fiancé Colleen); Great-Grandchildren:  Shayne DeCent, Kayla Markgraf, Sianna DeCent, Danielle Markgraf, Mitchell Markgraf, Marissa Markgraf, Jack Olson, and Luke Olson; Great-Great-Grandchildren, Joshua Markgraf and Braxton DeCent; Special Nieces: Carol Lange, Judi Lange, Jan Drake, and Ginny Anderson; many other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband Swen, Sisters: Florence Forsberg and husband Chester, Enid Smuda and husband Stan, Gladys Carlson and husband Sheldon, and Viola Green and husband Lester; Brother, Harry Anderson and his wife Julia.