Margaret Eleanor White

Margaret Eleanor White, age 93, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, died on April 17, 2016, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, Minnesota. Margaret was born to Michael and Pearl (Nelson) Haaland on May 2, 1922. Margaret attended and graduated from District #59 in Huntersville Township. Upon her graduation she worked in North Dakota picking potatoes and when returning to the area she worked at the Wadena Hospital for two years. She was united in marriage to Robert Gaylord White on December 18, 1946 with Margaret’s siblings John and Anna by their side. They farmed in Shell River Township on what is now a Century Farm. They were a team in running the farm with their boys and along with the help of extended family. They worked hard in the fields and had a prosperous farm. Margaret loved to work in her garden and was more than happy to share with family and friends the fruits of her labors. She was well known for her canning and wonderful desserts. At many church pie socials you would find people racing after her famous blueberry dessert or sour cream raisin pie! Margaret had a unique and special gift of making crocheted Christmas ornaments and beautiful hardanger embroidery. She loved making wool socks, mittens, and slippers for many of her friends, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo with family and friends. Margaret was active in her community. She was a long time member of the Methodist Church in Menahga, member of the United Methodist Women, member of the Menahga VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and a Wadena County Fire Warden for Shell River Township. Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her sons Richard (Linda) and Robert (Kerry) all of Park Rapids, MN. Five grandchildren: Christina (White) Frisch, Sheri White (Demian), John White, Alex White, and Lindsey White. Six great grandchildren: Megan Matthew, Sophia, Cailey, Kendra, Karli, and her very special great niece and nephew Anna and Aiden Meech; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Robert; parents; brother John Haaland; sister Anna Graba, and brother in law Jerry Graba. Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Menahga and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Menahga with Pastor Steven Koehne officiating. Lonnie Schmidt will serve as organist. Pastor Loren Ferch will serve as soloist. Honorary pallbearers will be Margaret’s grandchildren. Active Casketbearers will be Cliff Branham, Ed Branham, Marilyn DeCrans, Ross Graba, Roger Graba, Lisa Graba-Meech, and Ross Meech. Interment will be at Shell City Cemetery. There will be luncheon held at the Menahga VFW following the service. T he family would like to thank Margaret’s Green Pine Acres family for the wonderful care she received and the compassion shown to our family in her final days. How blessed we are to have these wonderful community people to watch over our loved ones.