Margaret Steward Obituary

Owatonna - Margaret Ann (McColley) Stewart, aged 83, passed away Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Augustana Care Center, Hastings, MN. Margaret was born February 27, 1941, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Kenny and Agnes (Wakefield) McColley of New Richland, Minnesota. Margaret grew up on the family farm in New Richland, graduating from New Richland High School in 1959. Margaret worked at Marquette Bank in Minneapolis for a short while and then returned to New Richland, working at Truth Tool in Mankato. Margaret moved to Owatonna in 1960, working at Truth Tool, where she met Carl Stewart. Carl and Margaret were married on June 30, 1962, and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, transferring to Grundy Center, Iowa with the Curtiss Company. Carl and Margaret returned to Owatonna in 1963, starting a family. Margaret, in addition to raising a family, worked at Ev's Kitchen and Happy Chef, returning to Truth Incorporated in 1980. Margaret and Carl and the family spent a great deal of time at the McColley farm in New Richland and their cabin on Baby Lake near Hackensack, Minnesota, with relatives and lifelong friends in the area. The family took many road trip vacations in the western United States. One of Margaret's favorite times was waking up early in the morning at the cabin and sitting by a roaring bonfire, drinking coffee, and watching the birds. Carl and Margaret retired from Truth in June 1995 and then spent the summer driving across Alaska for three months. The next summer, they rebuilt the cabin and spent most of their summers and falls on Baby Lake. Mom was an avid knitter and crocheter, and is known for knitting helmet warmers and donating them to troops of the Global War on Terrorism. Mom was a proud supporter of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Kenny and Agnes McColley, her sister Ruth (McColley) Jensen, brother-in-law David Jensen, and brother-in-law Jack Anderson, nephew, Craig Jensen and her husband Carl. Margaret is survived by a sister, Nancy (McColley) Honstad (her husband, Stan) of Florida, daughter Carla Johnson (Jack) of Little Falls, son Ken (Kari) of Farmington, grandson Dallas Nelson (Tammy) of Long Prairie, granddaughters Elizabeth Stewart (Chris) of Lakeville, and Katie Stewart (Jack) of Eden Prairie. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Road, Owatonna, 55060. Private burial will take place at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Margaret's honor to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, 135 Oakdale Street, Owatonna, 55060.