Margaret L. (McNee) Riles Madson, 88
Margaret L. (McNee) Riles Madson, 88, of Austin, died on Aug. 10, 2009 at the Austin Medical Center.
Margaret was born Dec. 21, 1920 in Big Timber, Mont., the fifth child of William and Nina (Gates) McNee. In 1926 she moved with her family to Spring Valley, Minn. She started and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1938. On Sept. 21, 1940 she married Kenneth Riles in Northwood, Iowa. In 1945 they purchased a farm in the Lansing Village. On May 25, 1957 Kenneth was killed in an automobile accident and Margaret was left with seven children: six boys and one girl, ages 3 to 16 years old. She took her responsibility very seriously and always attended their many activities. After moving to Austin, Margaret worked as a dental assistant for Dr. R.L. Downing for 10 years and took the LPN nursing course and graduated the same year as her youngest son graduated from high school. Margaret then worked for several years and lastly at Sacred Heart Care Center.
On Aug. 10, 1976 she married Peder Madson. They enjoyed the farming life together with his land near Blooming Prairie and hers in Lansing. Peder passed away on Aug. 10, 2005.
Survivors include a daughter, Judi (Paul) Perkins, Austin; five sons: Richard Riles (Marie Ramaker), Lansing, John Riles, Albert Lea, Douglas (Ruth) Riles, Hastings, Minn., Steven (Mary) Riles, Rochester, James (Carolyn) Riles, St. Michael, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Riles, Austin; 17 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; sister, Florence Stanford, Decatur, Ill.; sister-in-law, Doris McNee, Connecticut; her step family and many relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands, Kenneth and Peder; son, David Riles; four brothers and two sisters.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. CCW rosary and a 7:30 p.m. wake service on Saturday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Sunday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.