Margaret Ann Kelly, 84, of Stewartville, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Shorewood Senior Living in Rochester.
Margaret was born March 30, 1941, to John Verbrugge and Edith (Oston) Verbrugge, in Estherville, Iowa. She was raised and spent her youth in Swea City, Iowa. She was the oldest sibling to sister, Elaine, and brother, John. Margaret graduated from Swea City High in 1959. She then attended business college in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the 1960s, Margaret began working as a Business Manager for Stanford Clinton, Jr.
Margaret moved to San Luis Obispo, California, in the 1970s and continued working for Stanford Clinton, Jr. She attended Cal Poly University at age 39, and earned a degree in teaching, with straight As through all of her classes. Margaret moved to Ontario, CA, where she taught high school English and classes to students at-risk. In 2004, Mar moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family. She resided in Stewartville, MN. In 2023, Margaret moved into assisted living at the Shorewood Senior Living Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
Margaret had a love for adventure. She traveled all over the world, including trips to Italy, France, China, Russia, Honduras, Guatemala, and many more. Margaret loved reading and was never far from her kindle or audiobook. She loved spending time with friends and family. Mar was a big part of her grand-nieces and grand-nephew’s lives, attending events and celebrating holidays together. She was also a serious cat person. Mar had many cats during her lifetime and loved them like family.
Margaret is survived by her niece, Heidi Wurtinger (Kris Markee) of Punta Gorda, FL; niece, Kerri (Troy) Ryan of Wisconsin Dells, WI; nephew, Chris (Stephanie) Untiedt of Carlton, MN; two grand-nieces, Emma and Ruby Ryan; grand-nephew, Bradley Untiedt; her brother-in-law, Richard Untiedt of Hayfield, MN; her sister-in-law, Ruth (John) Verbrugge of Bullhead City, AZ; close friends, Tracy Austin, Stan and Chris Clinton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John (Ruth) Verbrugge; and her sister, Elaine Untiedt.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm, Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery, in Hayfield, Minnesota, with Pastor Brad VanderWaal, officiating.
To share a special memory or condolence please, visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, Minnesota, 507-477-2259. Blessed be her memory.
Fairview Cemetery ~ Hayfield
Visits: 335
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors