Margaret Elizabeth Klobuchar

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo

Visitation

Date: Friday August 12, 2011
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Second Visitation

Date: Saturday August 13, 2011
Time: 10:00 am

Funeral Service

Date: Saturday August 13, 2011
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo

Margaret Elizabeth Klobuchar

A memorial service for Margaret Elizabeth Klobuchar will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (1212 12th Ave NW Rochester, MN 55901) Rochester with Pastor Ann Siverling officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday evening, August 12, 2011 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Margaret Elizabeth Klobuchar, age 73 of Rochester, passed away on August 11, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, following complications due to a stroke. Margaret Elizabeth Caspersen was born on Friday, October 13, 1937 in Minneapolis to Magnus and Henny Caspersen. Margaret graduated from John Marshall High School in Minneapolis in 1955.  She married Dick Klobuchar in 1957 in Minneapolis. Following marriage, the couple moved to Rochester and began to raise their family. Margaret was an active volunteer in the Rochester community, and enjoyed working as an Election Judge for the City.  She was active in a local Red Hat group, garden club, and sewing circle. Margaret sang for over 25 years in the Robert Oudal Chorale and was an accomplished singer. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and devoted her life to putting others before her.  She was known as a lifelong caregiver.

She is survived by three children, Michael Klobuchar of Rochester, Betsy (Tim) Kauffman of Burnsville, MN, Becca Klobuchar of Denver, CO., granddaughters Emily and Grace Kauffman, a brother, Paul (Millie) Caspersen of Minneapolis, her former husband Dick Klobuchar, many nieces and nephews, and endless circles of friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Norman.

The family prefers memorials to the Rochester Channel One Food Shelf, the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, and Paws and Claws.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements: 1119 11/12 Street SE Rochester, MN 55904

Condolences

The family of Margaret Elizabeth Klobuchar has received the following condolences.

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Margaret.  I worked with Margaret many years ago with Manpower at IBM.  She always had a smile and was so fun to work with.  Margaret was a great lady.

God's blessing and my prayers to the family.

my prayers n thoughts go out to your family.i got to know margaret as one of my customers at bakers square where she came to see me all the time. she always had a hug for me n i will miss our talks n the hugs . she became grandma margaret to me she will be dearly missed.

On a cold, extremely wet and stormy night last March, Margaret was one of the first Avon Representative to show up and welcome me at my first meet and greet, when I became the new Avon District Sales Manager.  She attended every meeting and special event, and her love and passion for Avon was very evident.  I enjoyed hearing her niece speak at the memorial service about the Avon lip balms and other gifts she would always have for everyone.  I'm grateful for the opportunity of knowing her for the short amount of time I did.  She will be truly missed at the monthly meetings.

I would like to extemd sincere and deep condolences to Margaret's family and friends, on behalf of Avon District 5779.

Laura Savoie, Avon District Sales Manager

 

   

      

I will never forget Margaret, and since we share the same birthday, I will always turn my thoughts to her on every future birthday. The celebration of life service was the most personal one I have ever attended, and she was surely smiling down through the whole thing. I know that my mom (EVIE) is so happy to embrace her as she enters her place of peace and eternal joy. Margaret was always a mother figure in my mind after my mother's death, and I would like to be there for all of Margaret's children if you should ever need to have someone to lean on. May all of you as well as Dick be at peace and be able gain  comfort from each other and friends who loved Margaret dearly.

Rebecca,

Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother.  While we never met your mother she must have been a great lady to raise a special daughter like you.  Our prayers will be with you, your mother and your family as you remember and celebrate Margaret's life.  You will always be a part of our extended family.

Al & Mary

I am so sad to hear about Margarets passing.  I met Margaret back in 93 when we worked together at the switchboard at IBM.  I also was expecting my first child that year and Margaret always made sure I was feeling ok and eating the right things.  She even spoke to IBM Security about getting me a handicap parking spot so I didn't have to walk so far...lol.   She had so much love for life and her family.  She bragged about you kids all the time.  You made her very proud and she adored her grandchildren.  Margaret will be greatly missed by many.  God Bless you all..

Hi guys.

Your mom was a grand person. We spent a lot of time together when we lived next door. I don't know if you can remember but your mom and dad introduced us to tacos. You guys had tacos every friday and once in a while we would set up a table in the drive way and have tacos together. I know you will miss her but you will see what a grand person she was by all the friends she has.

Lowell

Dear all,

I wanted to express my deepest condolences for your loss of such a special woman and mother.  I work with Becca in Denver and I will always remember her Mom because she sent her favorite flowers for her every year on her birthday.  I wish that I had been able to meet Margaret.  Please know that you all are in my thoughts.

Wendy Wyman

My sympathy to Margaret's family. I worked with Margaret at IBM and came to know the great loving person she was.  She was always there to help and to listen and always had a smile on her face.  I know she will be missed dearly, but will be watching over you all from above.  Who could ask for a better angel, as the angel she was here was hard to beat. May knowing that Margaret is at peace and watching you, help comfort and give you strength to move through the days ahead.  God Bless!

Margaret was an inspiration to me.  She was my first close friend when I moved to MN way back in 1998 and joined Manpower as an assistant.  How fortunate I was that her office where she was the site switchboard operator was across the hall from mine.  She was so kind and friendly and offered her friendship immediately.  Everyone had so much fun in when they visited her office - laughter rang out most of the day and I remember thinking what a special person she was.  Margaret was game for anything - she loved to go and do things, eating out, movies or any adventure really.  She genuinely cared and listened and shared so much wisdom about life.  Her generosity was amazing.  She was always giving of herself, her time, and special gifts she loved to bestow.  She always took an interest in my children throughout their lives and was so supportive and encouraging to them.  She had so many medical challenges, and I know her knees gave her so much grief yet SHE NEVER COMPLAINED or let them slow her down.  She was the glue that held so much together - for her endless friends and varied groups and interests.  I know we all will miss her more than we can say, but I am so blessed that she counted me as her friend and will always cherish her memory and laugh and the special person that she was.

My deepest sympathies to Margaret's family.  Margaret was a very nurturing, caring person.  The world has lost an awesome lady.  Heaven has gained an amazing angel!  You you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Deanna Tollin (Margaret's former Avon District Sales Manager for 14 yrs)

My deepest sympathies to Margaret's family.  Margaret was a very nurturing, caring person.  The world has lost an awesome lady.  Heaven has gained an amazing angel!  You you find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Deanna Tollin (Margaret's former Avon District Sales Manager for 14 yrs)

I am so sorry for your loss Betsy.  Please accept my condolences and best wishes for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Vince

 

 

Margaret was a dear friend and co-worker at the elections. I worked 13 elections with her and can say she was a pleasure to work for and with. She will dearly be missed by many friends.

Char

I don't know where to begin.
 
One memory, that she had of me, and loved to tell in front of people (several times over the years) was that when we first got acquainted, we invited the Klobuchar family over for the evening meal. She insists that I served hot dogs. I told her that it must have been the ones that I split, put mashed potatoes in, wrapped with a slice of bacon then put them under the broiler. However...she insisted that "They were just plain hot dogs, but they were so good!!"
 
I remember her watching the young people coming in our front door on New Year's Day, after sledding...full of snow, everyone kicking off their boots and taking off those snowy clothes by our front door. She would always say something like "Oh my, don't you want them to leave their things out on the porch?" There was not other place to leave them, and somehow it was alright. It was too cold to leave them outside, and the back door was blocked with a table of food, usually desserts.
 
She loved making food for that day, and needed help carrying all of it into the house. Boxes of food. Many times she had the makings for Taco Salad, and was an hour late arriving. She would then need to find the ingredients and make the salad. That was Margaret, and we just expected it. In later years, we told her that we were starting an hour early, but I'm not sure she believed us. No one would start eating until Margaret came, as she had so much good stuff to share.
 
She collected Avon boxes for me to take to the Pine Island Historical Society, she cared a lot about our family and others, she loved to catch up with all the news about everyone's kids, grandkids, sisters, brothers etc.
 
She loved a good meal, and knew where to get one!!! She suggested many places to the red hat group, and we always loved going with her to see what place she had discovered.
 
I know that I would never say in front of her, that I needed something, or I wish I could do or have something, as she would offer to do it for me. She so much liked to be helpful.
 
Her smiles lit up the room. "Oh, my....how ARE you?" with one those big smiles, made everyone feel good.
 
She adored her granddaughters, Emily and Grace, and was so proud to tell us what they were doing. Seeing their drawings and notes to Grandma Margaret on the board at the hospital made me smile, and wish (so hard) that she could see and read them. she would have been so proud. I hope they know, as they grow into adulthood and beyond, that their Grandma loved them dearly.
 
She loved the red hat group, and enjoyed so much planning an outing for us, and didn't need/want help making the phone calls to the other 11 of us. I think she liked the conversations.
 
I never heard her say that she was physically hurting. If I asked her how she felt, she would say "Oh, pretty good" and maybe add that her asthma was acting up. But it was obvious that her knees etc. were hurting.
 
She saw movies more than once, as she might fall asleep and miss something.
 
Her gifts of goodie bags and calendars were enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to receive one. She usually had a few pieces of candy in the bags, other surprises. I have used the Avon calendars for years as my diary.
 
The barbershop group from many years ago, was so special to so many of us. There would be wonderful campouts, with the fellows singing harmony after dark around the campfire. We could always count on people from other campsites, to be standing around in the dark on the path, listening, and then clapping. There were contests, Ladies' night and other events including the annual Barbershop Show that our kids grew up attending. They have wonderful memories of the barbershop group, and Margaret was always there.
 
I will treasure her friendship forever, and loved growing old with her. She was four months younger than me, we each had three children, one boy and two girls, and loved so many of the same things.
 
I'll miss her terribly!!!
 
Love, Sandy
 
 

Dear all,

I knew Margaret Klobuchar as the awesome mom of Becca or to me, Klobie.  I have the most wonderful privilege of working with Margaret's very talented and charismatic  daughter.  Margaret was the mom I always wanted to meet.  She sent treats and tokens of affection generously and often to Becca.  While she lived far away from Colorado, her kind gestures made her feel so close.  I suspect she made many people feel this way.  She had so much to be proud of in her family and they in her.  While I am sorry I never got to meet her, I feel so very lucky I am friends with her daughter who embodies all of her kindness and generosity.

Love to you all,

Cassie Todd

 

Margaret was my Godmother and my mother's best friend.  She was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met.  I will miss her so much.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  I'm so sorry that I won't be able to make the drive from Illinois, but Margaret will be constantly in my thoughts.  I love you, Margaret.

Bucs, I am thinking about you and your family during this difficult time.  Sending you support from Mpls. and know you can call if you need ANYTHING.  I'm planning on coming down on Saturday.  Love you, my friend. Al, Just and kids

Dear Becca, Michael, Betsy, Dick, Paul, Emily and Grace,

Becca has spoken so warmly of her mother so many times.  She sounded amazing, and a source of great comfort for all of you.  Becca has similar strengths and I am sure they were learned from her mother.  My heart is with your family.

My condolences,

Beth Spencer

Margaret was my aunt, and a very beautiful person. I have very fond memories of her while growing up. However, I think the best example I have of what a loving and caring person she was comes from the last year. About a year ago, I lost my mom. Since that time my Aunt Margaret has reached out to me to help in filling the void from my loss. As my own mom used to do, she sent me cards on all holidays, even the "off" ones, because she knew my mom used to do that. She sent me small and thoughtful gifts...also something my mom did. She called me and I called her. Prior to my mom's death, we did not speak as often as we did in this past year. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to become close to her. She is a wonderful person and will be missed by many. I love you Aunt Margaret!