Margie Grace Bucknell, 92, died on Oct. 31, 2016, at her home in LeRoy, Minnesota.

Many years ago, during a particularly blustery winter day, a little girl entered the lives of Gust and Minnie (Christianson) Wolden. Margie Grace was born on Feb. 8, 1924, and was a special blessing from the start. Her parents had waited for the arrival of a child for seven years. Minnie accredited their daughter’s arrival to God and Lydia Pinkham, a wonder tonic.

Margie was born with a desire for knowledge, an ear for playing the piano, an ability to write songs/poetry/stories and was naturally as hard working as any man.

Her uncanny ability to bake was well known throughout the town and could compete with the likes of Betty Crocker. She was detail oriented as well and kept track of every cookie baked. Margie especially delighted in delivering her angel food cakes to many in the town and making her famous Halloween popcorn balls for all to enjoy while trick or treating. She loved entertaining for family events, ladies’ Bible studies, Homer’s friends, plumbing salesmen or hobos riding the railroad.

Margie graduated from eighth grade and went on to attend High School in Chester, Iowa where she met her future husband, Homer. The decision to become engaged was established after the announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Margie graduated from high school in May of 1941 and was married at the age of 17 on June 18, 1941. (This was rather convenient, because they had Margie’s graduation money for their honeymoon.) Almost a year later, May of 1942, Homer was drafted to World War II so Margie and Homer moved to Alabama for basic training. Homer was already serving overseas when the arrival of Mardella (Bucknell) Danielson took place on March 10, 1944.

Homer returned from serving overseas four years after Mardella’s birth. Margie and Homer were back to being a family and purchased their first and only home in LeRoy where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Fast forward four years, on Feb. 17, 1948, Margie and Homer welcomed their first son, Waldo Bucknell, into the world. The birth of Waldo was extremely difficult, and she didn’t know if she would survive. Margie knew the Lord had given her a second chance, and she committed her life to Jesus and joyously served Him from that day forward. Fourteen years later, on April 18, 1962, the family welcomed their second son, David Bucknell.

Something many people might not know about Margie is that she loved to travel and had an adventurous spirit. She visited over thirteen countries and loved rides of all kinds, whether it be trains, planes, automobiles … or camels! Margie enjoyed the leisure of travel for only a short period of time before she dedicated the next twenty years to caring for her mother. There was a brief time after Minnie passed away before Margie was called up again to serve her husband by caring for him. God’s timing was perfect because during that one year between caring for loved ones, God allowed her life-long dream to be fulfilled. Margie and her cousin, Helen Knutson, were off to experience Israel and walk where Jesus walked. What a blessing God gave both women!

Margie was happy to work alongside her husband on the farm and as a secretary for the family’s plumbing business. She also enjoyed teaching adult Sunday school classes for many years at the LeRoy Lutheran Church and attending evening services at Bethany Bible Church since its inception. She had a heart for ministry. Margie was known for her generous love and patience for others. She influenced the lives of three children, ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and countless others.

Many have gone on before her, and many will go on after her. Her last wish would be to see you all in Heaven! Please take a look at the scripture and consider your eternal future. It will be your final resting place forever!

She is survived by her children, Mardella Danielson of Faribault, Minnesota, Waldo “Duey” Bucknell of Le Roy, Minnesota and David Bucknell of LeRoy; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Homer in 1995, two grandchildren and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Bucknell, in 1998.

Funeral services will be held at the LeRoy Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, with Pastor Herman Bakker and Pastor Chuck Phelps officiating. Interment will be at the LeRoy Cemetery directly following the funeral service.

Visitation will be held at Hindt Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, and will continue at the Church one hour prior to the service on Nov. 4, 2016.

Memorials may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.