Margaret Ellen Garske, age 88, died at the Annandale Care Center on June 9, 2015.  She lived a long and happy life surrounded by family and friends.

Margaret had many interests.  She loved to play bridge and golf. She enjoyed knitting, embroidery, and petit point.  Her favorite hobbies were gardening, watching birds, reading, and listening to music from the big band era. She loved the companionship of her favorite dog Bogart.  Margaret enjoyed traveling and her last trip was in 2013 to visit family and friends during Langdon, North Dakota's 125th Celebration.

Margaret was born on April 11, 1927 in Langdon, North Dakota to Charles and Genevieve Irene (Dettler) Fox.  Margaret was very proud of her Grandfather E.J. Fox who was one of the first settlers in Langdon.  He was a teacher, a county school superintendent and was active in developing the town.  Her father, Charles died suddenly in 1941 and her mother would marry Leonard Urlaub in 1945.  Margaret graduated from St. Alphonsus High School in 1944 and continued her education at St. Catherine's College in St. Paul, MN.  She received her Registered Nursing degree in 1948.  She married Jack Garske from Minneapolis on September 9, 1948 at St. Alphonsus Church in Langdon, North Dakota.  Their residence was in Richfield, Minnesota until 1971 when they moved to Ely, Minnesota. Margaret went back to nursing in the 1960's and worked at Southdale Fairview Hospital before moving to Ely.   Jack and Margaret built a home in Green Valley, Arizona where they spent their winters. They enjoyed 49 wonderful years together. After Jack's death, Margaret renewed a friendship with Larry Panek from Watertown, South Dakota.  He brought her many years of joy and happiness.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack Garske; her sister Kathleen Schenk; her step brother Stanley Urlaub; and her friend Larry Panek. She is survived by her three daughters Susan (Jeff) Sylvester of Annandale, MN, Candace (David) Paradeau of Anthem, AZ, and Joni (Chris) Cullen of Scottsdale, AZ; her 5 grandchildren, Amy and Scott Sylvester, Stacy King, Michael Schweim, and Kailee Cullen; and her 3 great grandchildren Livvy and George Sylvester and Piper King.

A special thank you to the staff of Annandale Care Center for the wonderful care they gave to Margaret and the comfort they gave to the family during her stay there. We also would like to thank North Memorial Hospice for the additional care services they provided Margaret and the family in her final weeks.

Services for Margaret will be private with interment at Grace Cemetery in Southside Township.  In memory of Margaret, memorials can be given to the donor's choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.