On the afternoon of March 10, 2015, Margaret passed from this life, at the Rosebud HealthCare Center in Forsyth, MT. She was 89 years old. She had resided at the Rosebud HealthCare Nursing home for 9 ½ months.
Margaret was born on July 1, 1925, in Miles City, MT. She was the second of nine children born to George and Gladys (Pestka) Kreitel.
Margaret started her life on her father’s homestead in the Rock Springs area and then lived in Stayton, Oregon for a couple years. In 1928, her parents bought the Harry Chapman Ranch in the Chalk Buttes area out of Ekalaka, MT and she lived on the ranch until graduating from high school. She spoke often of walking with her siblings for quite a distance to a country elementary school and then back home again when the school day was over. She attended high school at the Carter County High School in Ekalaka and graduated in 1944. Margaret then attended telegrapher classes in Miles City. Since it was during the war, much of the male workforce were serving their country, so the women were needed to fill in. Margaret worked as a telegrapher for the Milwaukee Railroad in 1944-45, receiving and delivering messages. During that time, she boarded with the R.P. Muri family in the Cartersville area.
Margaret met John Sherman through their mutual friendship with the Muri family and they were married on November 3, 1946, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Forsyth, MT. They were members of this church for the rest of their lives together. From this union, two sons and six daughters were born. John and Margaret lived in Forsyth and raised their eight children in the quiet little town. They were married for 48 years until John’s passing in 1994.
Margaret enjoyed her flower garden in the summer and was a member of the Forsyth Garden Club. She bowled for several years and enjoyed watching bowling and, later on, golf on t.v. She loved going for Sunday drives. She loved to travel. After her children were raised, she went on several very nice trips, including several trips to see her children who were scattered around the United States. She went to Branson, MO and Nashville, TN, and to the east coast to see the fall colors. She went on two cruises, went to Hawaii, the Grand Canyon and to Germany. She rode in a hot air balloon in Minnesota. Coming from a musical family, she loved music and enjoyed watching The Lawrence Welk Show and Sing Along With Mitch. Her favorite music, though, was the old time western cowboy music. And she loved to dance. Several years after John’s passing, she started going with friends to Miles City to attend the dances. It was at these dances that she met Jim Barnes. They made a life together in Miles City and they danced together for many years.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John; four brothers, Glenden, Earl, Ed and Gilbert Kreitel; two sisters, Veronica Richards and Evelyn Kreitel; also, special sisters-in-law, Mildred Mogen, MaryAnn Sherman, and Nora Kreitel.
Margaret is survived by her eight children: Gary (Denise) Sherman of Billings, MT, Connie (Jim) Cope of Forsyth, MT, Kay (Tim) Wilcox of Sheridan, MT, Debbie (Steve) Itoh of Roberts, WI, Colette (Ron) Estes of Asheboro, NC, Susie Potter of Yuma, AZ, Tammie (George) Dial of Fort Collins, CO, and Mark Sherman of Missoula, MT;
eleven grandchildren: Melanie (Chad) Johnson, Heather (Travis) Heindl, Tracie (Doug) Pyeatt, Wayne (Katie) Wilcox, Curt (Amanda) Wilcox, Kyle Itoh, Andrea (Juston) DeLong, Nicky Estes, Renae (Shane) Estes, Christine Dial and John Dial; one step-grandson, Chris (Mary) Treib. She has 14 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 sisters, Mary (Tom) McCamish of Ekalaka, MT and Rosemarie Miller of Pierre, SD, two sisters-in-law, Janice Kreitel and Verna Kreitel and many nieces and nephews.
A couple hours before Mom passed, she looked at her watch and said, “Well, it’s about time I was getting home to fix dinner for John and Gary.” No more worries, Mom. Rest in peace. We will miss you.
A special thank you to Dr. Anderson, Brady Ruff and all the staff of the Rosebud HealthCare Nursing Home for taking good care of Margaret. Thank you to Frank Arb and Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home for their kind assistance.
Should one desire, memorials may be made to the Rosebud HealthCare Nursing Home or the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, both in Forsyth.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday March 15, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 am
Monday March 16, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
509 N 12th.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday March 15, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 am
Monday March 16, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
509 N 12th.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Cathy Byron says
Connie and All –
My heart and prayers are with each of you. It is not easy to say goodbye to a mother – especially such a good one.
Danny Johnson says
Tammie and family.
so sorry to hear about your mother. she was great lady! and she now has the most wonderful home. I enjoyed visiting with her when we were kids. Your in my prayers God Bless you.
Laura Kron Monasmith says
Tammie and everyone-
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. My prayers are with you all. God Bless!
Peggy Redman and Earl Mortensen says
To Margaret’s family,
We are very sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. During this time of loss may God’s promise of eternal life bring you hope…may his ever present love bring you peace…and may the heart-felt prayers of others bring you comfort. Margaret will long be remembered for her beautiful spirit, her giving heart, and the many lives she
touched.
Patty (Strong) Katalinick says
Susan and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you .
Lorna and Dennis DeSocio says
Margaret and John were my parents’ across the alley neighbors for as long as I can remember. The Sherman kids are part of so many of my childhood memories and I am sad to hear of Margaret’s passing. Know that she is at peace with her heavenly Father. Prayers for her family.
Karen, Barry and Erica Cossette says
My thoughts are with my cousins and their families. I know losing a parent is hard. My prayers. Aunt Margaret was welcoming and loving.
Allen and Karen Barnes says
TO ALL OF MARGARET’S FAMILY Please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. We knew Margaret through Jim and she was truly a good person – we had many good times with her and Jim and will always have wonderful memories of her. Let all your special memories comfort you at this time and God Bless you.
Marian Kreitel says
Sherman Family and Jim
I will miss your mom very much. She was such a ray of sunshine in the lives of everyone she met. I am so sorry that I cannot attend the funeral, but know that you are all in my thought and prayers. May the wondeful memories of Margaret help carry you through the her passing.
Pam Shelton says
To Margarets family. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Thoughts and deep sympathy for you all.
Jo Ryan says
So sorry for your loss. Treasure the memories.
(Nora K.’s sister)