Margaret Kirkeby

Margaret Kirkeby

Margaret Kirkeby, age 93 passed away peacefully early Friday morning, August 26th, 2011 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton, surrounded by family.

Emily Margaret Johnson was born April 24, 1918 to Sam and Emma (Heidrich) Johnson in Hill Township of Kittson County, MN.

She had one older sister, Elizabeth. She grew up on a farm near Northcote, Minnesota, attended a rural schoolhouse, and later graduated from high school in Pembina, North Dakota in 1937. She attended “Beauty School” in Grand Forks and was first licensed in 1941. Her first job was at the Orchid Beauty Shop under the old Penney’s store in downtown Grand Forks. Margaret was united in marriage to Earl Clarence Kirkeby on December 12, 1941 in Reno, NV.

In July, 1942 they received notice that they had to return to North Dakota for Earl to register for service in World War II. While Earl was serving in England Margaret worked in Grafton then, all on her own opened a shop in Drayton, North Dakota. Earl returned from the War in 1945 and they soon bought a lot on the corner of Main Street where they made their home, raised their family and each operated a business for many years. Earl died in 1985. Margaret maintained her beauty shop license well into her 70’s when she finally officially retired. She remained in her own home until the age of 90, when she joined her sister Liz at the Thief River Falls Care Center so that “they could spend their last years together”. After losing her sister she moved to the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton in December 2008 where she was well tended by the caring staff there.

While living in Drayton Margaret enjoyed being a part of many organizations within the community, including the Ladies’ Aide, Rebecca Lodge, and American Legion Auxiliary. She was a long time member of the Drayton Chamber of Commerce and was active in the Drayton Lutheran Church.

Margaret could often be found sitting on her lawn swing on summer days. She enjoyed her cats, doing the Daily Jumble, watching the Twins games, visits from her children and grandchildren, gardening, and baking. Margaret will be remembered for her heavenly angel food cakes, homemade wine, lefse, jams, and sauce, as well as her abundant hollyhocks. Margaret was and always will be admired for her hard work, determination, and kind heart.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister.

She is survived by her children: Earlene (Tom) Laudin, Barneveld, WI; Doris (Northon) Rodrigues, Oregon City, OR; and Marlys (Jesse) Escobar, Grand Forks, ND; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at the Drayton Lutheran Church at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, August 31, preceded by a one hour visitation and followed by interment at the Drayton Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Austin Funeral Home in Drayton on Tuesday, August 30 from 6-8 pm with a prayer service at 7 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Drayton Ambulance Service.

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