Margaret Kathryn Smith, nee Monson, age 86 joined the Lord and her husband on January 5, 2014. Margaret was born December 17, 1927 on a farm by Lake Hazel, Benson, Minnesota. She was one of nine children. From the ages of 3 to 17 she lived in seven different places, most within Minnesota. Margaret earned her GED in 1974. While living in Benson and working as a waitress at Rangaard's Café, she met the love of her life, Forrest Wayne Smith. They were married on June 5, 1948. They lived on the Smith farm until they moved to Murdock. Margaret's many jobs over the years included: nurse's aide, teacher's aide, Wonderall's, and finally as a cook for twenty two years at the Murdock school. For thousands of children, she was their "mother away from home." Even when working full time, Margaret volunteered her time with the following: VFW, Ladies Aid, Superintendent of Sunday School, Sunday School teacher, City Council, Church Council (16 years as treasurer), Church Council President, and on the Voting Board. Margaret enjoyed gardening, card playing, being a foster Grand Parent at the Murdock school, and traveling, which took her to Norway, England, France, Scotland, Wales, Canada, New York, Boston, Washington, Texas, Oregon, and Arizona. Margaret's true claim to fame was being fully immersed in everything Norwegian. She attended Hostfest in Minot, North Dakota, for eighteen years. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Knute and Mable Monson, Forrest, her faithful husband of forty seven years, five brothers, Joel, Manny, Arnold, Harold, and Donald. She is survived by her two sons, Clifford of Murdock, Wayne and Sally of California; two daughters Marie and Gilbert Hacker of Alexandria, and Cynde and Tom (deceased) Gannon of Texas. Beloved Grandmother to Jeremy and Crystal, Step grandmother to Ray, Great Grandmother to Jillian and Jessica, Step Great Grandmother to Ashley, Dakota, Hunter, Tanner, and Carson. She is also survived by her three sisters, Irene, Mavis, and Darlene. Margaret will be greatly missed but never forgotten by her family and many lifelong friends, especially Kevin and Sue Lundberg and family. UFF Da. In lieu of flowers make donations to Windmill Ponds, 715 Victor St. Alexandria, MN 56308, in memory of Margaret Smith. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. A service of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Murdock, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Calvary Cemetery in Murdock.
