Myrtle Mary Margaret (Mares) Kronquist

Myrtle Mary Margaret (Mares) Kronquist, age 98, of Annandale died Friday, June 7, 2019 at her home. 

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Annandale with Fr. Andrew Stueve as Celebrant and Deacon Ron Freeman assisting.  Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale.  A rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Memorials are preferred to the St Ignatius Church Stained Glass Window Project or to the Annandale Food Shelf.

Myrtle was born February 13, 1921 to Joseph and Inga (Haaven) Mares in Maple Lake. She graduated from Annandale High School in 1939 and then moved to Minneapolis for employment at the Swedish Hospital.  After Myrtle’s marriage to Onni Kronquist on April 29, 1943 at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Maple Lake, they resided in Annandale where they raised their four children.  When their children started school, she began working for various retailers in Annandale.  Eventually she started cleaning Annandale businesses and private homes, continuing to work until her late 80’s. 

Myrtle was a woman of immense faith which led to her extensive lifelong involvement with St. Ignatius parish.  She also generously gave of her time and talent to many community organizations such as the PTA, the food shelf and as an election judge.  Myrtle was humble and kind, compassionately assisting many elderly and sick in the community.

A classy, intelligent, open-minded, and fun person, Myrtle loved to joke around and laugh.  She had an intense passion for bowling and was honored for 50 years of continuous league bowling when she was 89 years old.  She relished playing nickel slots with her sister, Loretta, in Las Vegas and locally.  She delighted in travel, visiting all 50 states (many numerous times) as well as England and Norway.  Myrtle was an avid reader who always read two books at once and instilled the love of reading in her children.  Myrtle was way ahead of her time demonstrating to her family the importance of environmental responsibility and she lived by the motto, reduce, reuse, recycle.

Myrtle was a burst of energy and was known for walking so fast in town you couldn’t catch her. She was always busy creating beautiful knitted, crocheted, cross-stitched, and ceramic items as gifts for her family and friends which they were thrilled to receive. She gardened and was an award-winning baker.  Music and dancing played an important part in the Kronquist household with Myrtle playing the piano or organ and Onni playing his accordion while the kids danced.   

She is survived by daughters, Karen (Randy) Lucht of Hawley and Kim (Garry) Kieves of Minnetonka; daughter-in-law, Margi Kronquist (special friend, Larry Czarnecki) of Maple Lake; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Toyna (Tom) Bentrup/Cogan, McKenzie, Kyle, and Marisa of Prescott, WI; Leza (Jesse) Bentrup/Biscoe, Azelyn,  Julius, Jaida, and Macie of Prescott, WI; Christopher (Theresa) Lucht, Oliver, Samuel, and Edwin of Fargo, ND; Tommy (Kristy) Kronquist, Holden and Evelyn of Duluth; Michael (Carrie) Kronquist, McKenna and Ava of Plymouth; step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, Nina Kieves of Columbus OH, Nico (Kris) Kieves/Wyrobek, Alex, Konnor, Charlotte, Kristi, Kathryn and Jackalyn of Minneapolis; nieces and nephews, LaVern Guice of Sacramento CA, Vernon (Carol) Johnson of Fridley, Faye (Craig) Kroeger, Mark Repke, Vicki (Kenny) Pitzl and Denise (Rob) Pitzl all of Annandale; Kathy Newman of Elk River; Nancy Oace, Rockport OR, and many other grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends; longtime, loving caregivers, Rosanne Opatz, Tiranda Pipo, Deb Kanouse, and Bonnie Messenbrink all of Annandale, Sarah Hillsdale of Dassel, and Deb Erickson and Jessica Wisner of South Haven.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Onni; son, Kevin Kronquist; daughter, Karla Bentrup; son-in-law, Roger Bentrup; granddaughter, Melissa Lucht; sisters, Grace Johnson, Loretta Johnson, and Adeline Repke; and brother, Merle Mares.

Myrtle will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.  May God bless her memory. Myrtle’s family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Guardian Angels Hospice for the love and care provided to Myrtle, her family and caregivers.

Myrtle’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers with her caregivers serving as honorary urn bearers. St. Ignatius Music Ministry will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

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