Margaret Kathryn Streightiff, 82

Published 5:52 am Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Margaret Kathryn (Hickey) Streightiff, 82, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at Field Crest Nursing Home in Hayfield, Minnesota.

Margaret Kathryn Streightiff, 82

Margaret was born on Dec. 3, 1936, on a farm in Mason City, Iowa, to Sylvester and Kathryn (Cahalan) Hickey. She received her education by attending country schools, Adams Catholic School in Adams, Minnesota, and graduated high school in LeRoy, Minnesota.

On Aug. 9, 1958, Margaret was united in marriage to Louis Streightiff at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with five children. They made their home in Brownsdale, Minnesota, until 2016, when Margaret moved to Austin.

As a young lady, Margaret was a telephone operator in Mason City and Austin. While raising her children, Margaret worked alongside Louie at Countryside Farm Supply as a bookkeeper. Later in life, Margaret started a second career at Shopko in Austin.

Margaret was a devoted Catholic, belonging to Our Lady of Loretto in Brownsdale for numerous years and then Sacred Heart in Hayfield. She always had a love for reading and, prior to moving to Austin, volunteering at the Brownsdale library. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary, a Red Hatter, and was on a bowling league for numerous years. Margaret had several hobbies including ceramics, cross-stitching, crocheting, gardening and cooking. She was well known for her salads! Her potato, orange Jell-O, and pasta salads were always amazing.

Margaret is survived by her five children, Dan Streightiff, Dodge Center, Minnesota, Deb (Larry) Sherman, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, David Streightiff, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Doug (Kris) Streightiff, Sargeant, Minnesota, and Darcy (Jim) Richardson, Grand Meadow; eight grandchildren, Zach (Kari) Sherman, Brandon (Sara) Sherman, Koby (Pat) Broking, Molly (Alex) Hohenstein, Sydney Richardson, Drew Streightiff, Wyatt Richardson and Maggie Streightiff; four (soon to be five) great-grandchildren, Erika and Kemper Sherman, Bryson and Baya Broking, and baby Hohenstein; two brothers, James (Donna) Hickey and Charles (Tracey) Hickey; and three sisters-in-law, Alma Hickey, Rosie Hickey and Ione Streightiff. Preceding Margaret in death were her parents, Sy and Kathryn Hickey; parents-in-law, Sam and Margaret Streightiff; brother, Gene Hickey; two brothers-in-law, Frank and Vernon Streightiff; sister-in-law, Arlene Streightiff; and niece, Becky Snow. Margaret will always be lovingly remembered by her family as Gram-Cracker.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Second St. NE in Hayfield with Father Thomas Niehaus celebrating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield following Mass. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield and for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.