Service Information
Margaretha “Margaret” Kuester, age 95, of Gaylord, formerly Winthrop, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 11:00 A.M., at Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop with interment following in The Winthrop Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 A.M., two hours prior to the service, all at the Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop.
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Obituary
Margaretha Eliza Draeger was born on September 15, 1924, at the family farm east of Fernando, Minnesota. She was the daughter of John Carl and Anna Olga (Gehrke) Draeger. Margaretha was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth.
On January 24, 1943, Margaretha was married to Maynard Carl Kuester at St. Matthew’s Church in Fernando. This marriage was blessed with three children, Mary Lou, Dennis, and Michael. Margaretha and Maynard resided in rural Fernando. They then moved to Winthrop in 1946. They shared 33 years of marriage until the passing of Maynard on June 7, 1976.
During her working years, Margaretha worked at Green Giant, Winthrop Dairy, Fingerhut, and 3M. After retiring from 3M, she worked at the Dalin-Hantge Funeral Chapel and also volunteered at the American Legion.
While working, Margaretha was also very involved with her children acting as Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. She was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church since 1946 and worked as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent for 20 years. Margaretha worked with the quilting, ladies’ activities, and embroidered all baptismal towelettes from 1965 to 2015.
Margaretha was an avid traveler, visiting all states except Hawaii. She also enjoyed antiques, quilting, sewing, gardening, and playing cards with friends.
Margaretha has been a resident of Oak Terrace Assisted Living since 2010 and enjoyed attending as many activities as possible, as well as visiting with the residents. A special thank you goes out to the exceptional caregivers at Oak Terrace and the Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center from the family.
We could all learn about enthusiasm for life by following in her footsteps. God bless her memory.
Margaretha is survived by her:
Children, Mary Lou Shutt of Webster, WI,
Dennis Kuester and his wife, Dianne, of Lafayette, MN,
Michael Kuester and his wife, Kathy, of Rapid City, SD;
Grandchildren, Martin (Leanne) Shutt, Sandra (Steve) Schmitz, Ellen (Travis) Anderson;
Step-Grandchildren, Kristen Grav, Jamie Grav;
Great-Grandchildren, Brandon (Alexandria) Shutt, Zachariah Shutt, Ryan Shutt, Taylor Marie Shutt, Anthony Schmitz, Alexander Berkner, Samuel Berkner;
Step-Great-Grandchildren, Douglas (Jessica) Schmitz, Adam (Jenny) Schmitz, Autumn Gustafson;
Many step-great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Margaretha is preceded in death by her Parents, John and Anna Draeger; Husband, Maynard Kuester; Sister and Brother-in-law, Irma (Gilbert) Rettmann; Son-in-law, Dennis Shutt; Sisters-in-law, Mable (Gotlieb) Groehler, Violet (Allen) Hedine, Helen (Edgar) Doering; Brothers-in-law, Ewald (Dora) Kuester, Elmer (Hazel) Kuester.
Josh Doering says
Sending our sympathy out to all in this time of sorrow.
I will always remember the smiling faces of Margaret and Donna on their trip out to Jackson Wy. (oh so many years ago.) Even though our time together on their trip was short, we all were glad to share a beautiful afternoon together. I also remember, as a kid, a few family get togethers in the summer and how special and fun it was. I can still picture card tables full of people in the garage.
Sharing in your sadness, wishing you strength and peace.
Josh Doering and family.
Russ Lange says
So sorry to hear about the passing of Margaret, she was a good friend of Mom’s and I last saw her at a class reunion in Winthrop probably about 10 -13 years ago, she was with Mary Lou. Wonderful lady, I remember her well from the days in Winthrop and Peace Lutheran.
Lyle Bonderson says
To the Kuester family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Margaret. I very much enjoyed our years of car pooling to 3M in New Ulm. Margaret was a very loving and caring person. Our conversations to and from work will always be remembered and cherished. Rest In Peace Margaret.
Lyle Bonderson
ERIKA HOVERSTEN says
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family of Margaretha.
Erika and Richard Hoversten.
Gail Nuessmeier says
So sad to hear of Margaret’s passing. What a great neighbor and friend she was. I’ll miss having her at bingo. I probably gave the last bingo prize to her. May she Rest In Peace. Our sympathy to the family. Blessings of hope!
Gail and Don