Margaret (Marge) Maschka Knutson, 97

Published 6:13 pm Saturday, March 1, 2014

Margaret (Marge) Maschka Knutson, 97, of Austin, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at the Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck in New Brighton, Minn.

Born in Kellogg, Minn., Oct. 31, 1916, to James and Martha McDonough, Marge graduated from Kellogg High School and later attended Winona State University where she received her B.S. Degree in Education. She taught in several schools including Kellogg Elementary, Kellogg, Minn., Queen of Angels in Austin and Brownsdale Elementary in Brownsdale, Minn.

Margaret (Marge) Maschka Knutson, 97

Margaret (Marge) Maschka Knutson, 97

On June 11, 1940, Marge married Leroy (Jack) Maschka at St. Agnes church in Kellogg, Minn. Jack and Marge lived in Kellogg for 17 years and moved to Austin in 1957. Jack died on Feb. 16, 1975. On Feb. 16, 1977, she married George T. Knutson. George preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 2002.

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Marge is survived by four sons and one daughter, Jerry Maschka (Kathleen), Mankato, Beverly Bell (Jack), Chanhassen, Steve Maschka (Cindy), Austin, Dean Maschka (Cheryl), Roseville, Robert Maschka, Roseville; daughter-in-law, Linda Maschka, Austin; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one son, Denny Maschka.

In her retirement she spent several winters in Arizona with husband, George. Her interests were traveling, music, reading and her grandchildren. Her piano playing brought great joy to the people where ever she went.

Marge had an infectious smile, and while experiencing many of life’s difficulties, had a marvelous ability to close each chapter of her life and move on with the attitude that the next chapter would only get better. She was the family matriarch and affectionately referred to as the Queen Mother. She will be sorely missed.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Thomas McDonough officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com. Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home.