Margaret “Maggie” Grace (Chapman) Weber
Margaret was born June 18th, 1923 to Lee R. and Grace E. (Wandersee) Chapman, at their home in Rockford township, Wright County, Minnesota.
She was baptized on Nov. 11th,1923 by Pastor E.W. Munson at her Grandmother, Julia Wandersee’s home. The Wandersee (Luis and Julia) homestead is now known as, “Apple Jack’s Apple Orchard”, north of Delano, MN. During her childhood she was a member of the Howard Lake Methodist Church and confirmed there, as well as being confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake in 1946.
Margaret moved to rural Howard Lake with her parents and brother in 1936, after losing their farm to The Great Depression. She helped her parents on the farm by milking cows, oiling machines and driving horses, while her dad loaded hay with the hay loader.
She attended school in Rockford Township through 6th grade. She then attended school in Howard Lake, graduating from Howard Lake High School in 1942.
As a young adult she worked a few jobs, weeding onions and picking raspberries. With their hard earned money in hand, she and her good friend Eva (Glessing) would catch a bus in Howard Lake, to go to downtown Minneapolis, to shop. They enjoyed shopping at stores such as Dayton’s, Donaldson’s, and Penney’s on Nicollet Avenue.
Margaret met August “Augie” Weber in 1943, on a street corner, by a liquor store in Waverly, MN. She says “People would gather there for a cash drawing of $20-25”. Margaret’s frien,d Eva, pointed Augie out to Maggie and said, “There’s your man!” Eva was right, August and Margaret were joined in marriage on April 24, 1946; a Wednesday afternoon at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Together they shared 45 years of marriage.
Augie had purchased a farm south of Howard Lake in 1945. Margaret joined him on the farm once they were married. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Sherry and Mary. The Weber’s farmed until 1979, although Margaret continue to raise chickens; she would sell their eggs from her home, as well as butcher & process them. She also worked at the local Green Giant in Winsted and Carlson Mailing Company in Howard Lake.
She enjoyed gardening, flowers-especially African Violets inside & roses outside, bird feeding and watching, dancing in her younger years, and Bingo in her later years. She loved to get together with friends and family to visit, play cards and eat. She enjoyed picnics, birthday parties, and holidays with her children and grandchildren. She was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake since marrying Augie.
Margaret lived on her farm until 2005, when she made the move to Heritage Square apartments in Howard Lake. Although she never wanted to leave her farm, she found some great new (and old) friends in her apartment building. She looked forward to weekly Bingo, coffee hour, and monthly birthday celebrations. With the help of her family, she was able to stay living in her own apartment until this February. She was very proud of that, as well as thankful. She moved to St. Mary’s Care Center, in Winsted on Feb. 28, 2017.
Margaret passed away at St. Mary’s Care Center on Saturday, March 25, 2017. At the age of 93 years.
Margaret is survived by: son-in-law: DuWayne Latzig. Granddaughters: Ranee (Paul) Krueger, Kathy (Josh) Stillwell, Rita (Matt) Everhart/Wosmek, Rachel Latzig. Great-grandchildren:Isaac Krueger; Cody, Cole, Carsen and Madisen Stillwell; Malcolm and Jackson Everhart, and Mary Ann Roberts. Great-Great Grandson: Trace Weller-Stillwell. As well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Preceded in death by: Husband, August Weber; parents Lee R. and Grace E. Chapman; daughter: Sherry Latzig; daughter and son-in-law: Mary and David Latzig; brother Harold (Lillian and Eleanor) Chapman.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 28, from 4-7 with 7 PM prayer at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, and continue 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401