Margaret Smith

May 29, 1921 - November 19, 2020

The private funeral service for Margaret Smith of Wadena will be held at the St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Steven Meltzer presiding. Margaret, age 99, passed away with family at her side on November 19, 2020, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena under the gentle care of Knute Nelson Hospice. Margaret was born to Earl and Elizabeth “Libby” (Harrington) Martin on May 29, 1921 in Staples, MN, and was proud of her Irish heritage. She graduated from Staples Public Schools where she played violin in the high school orchestra. Margaret was united in marriage with Melvin H. Smith on July 18, 1940 at the First Congregational Church in Staples. They made their home in Minnesota and spent winters in Arizona. In years past, Margaret worked as a secretary for the Superintendent of the US Ammunition Depot in Babbitt, NV. Locally, she could be found in the hat department at JC Penney, operating the Dairy Queen with Melvin, and working as a secretary to the commander at the Wadena Air Force Base. She was active in the Eastern Star, as an instructor for MN OES, as a secretary for the MN Boy Scouts, and as a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed time with her friends at the Senior Citizens Center, with the Boondocks ladies coffee club, ladies day at the Wadena Golf Course, and serving as a Pink Lady volunteer at Tri-County Hospital for many years. She used her artistic talents when decorating her home, along with cakes and cookies, as well as her ability as a water color artist. Many happy hours were spent playing cards and being a devoted care-provider for Melvin in his later years. She loved dancing with Melvin. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Wadena, and later at the Congregational Church in Aldrich. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin on June 17, 2016; son Wayne Smith; great grandson Conor Reindl; parents Earl and Elizabeth; and two brothers, two sisters, and 1 step sister. Memories of Margaret will be held dear by her daughters Linda Macklanburg of Wadena and Patricia (Richard) Larson of Lake Itasca; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; as well as sisters-in-law Helen (Archie) Coson of Wadena, Rosella Rudy of Las Vegas, NV, and Deloris Quick of St. Paul. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Smith, Eric Macklanburg, Paul Kuznik, Allen Smith, David Smith, Stan Grossman, Lane Waldahl, and Richard Larson. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN. Margaret greatly appreciated the care provided by Dr. John Pate and Tri-County Health Care, along with Trish, Lori, Margie, and most recently the loving staff and family at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena. The family suggests memorials be directed to the charity of your choice.