Margaret Thuringer

Margaret Thuringer, 96, of Roslyn and formerly of Eden, passed away peacefully with her family at her side, Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Strand Kjorsvig Living Center in Roslyn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden and will be livestreamed via Fiksdal Funeral Service Facebook page. Interment will be at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery near Eden. 

Visitation will be 4-6pm Friday, February 16, 2024 at the church and close with a 6pm wake service.

Margaret Elizabeth Waletich was born on the family farm near Eden, SD, on a cold, wintry February 16, 1927, to John, Sr., and Katherine (Weyer) Waletich. 

Margaret’s love of learning began during eight years of common school at Eden #4. Determined to continue her education, she entered high school at Eden Public for two years; from there she attended Roslyn High School, graduating in May 1945. She attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD, the summer of 1945, and for summers thereafter, earning her associate degree during her 20 years as an educator. Margaret taught in rural country schools in Fort, Sisseton, and Koscuisko Townships, and Lake City Lower Grades, where she recalled her many students and all their lively learning activities. Margaret’s calling was one of a teacher. 

Margaret married John E. (Hunce) Thuringer, on another snowy day, May 9, 1950, and they made their family in Eden with children DeLaine, Katherine, and John. Their lives centered around the business they started in 1959: Chinatown. At this beloved community staple, Hunce ran a mechanic shop and gas station, and Margaret balanced her teaching career while tending the restaurant and bar. Hunce passed away in 1997, yet Margaret continued to operate Chinatown until she was almost 90 years old, where she was well-known as “Peggy,” a conversational barkeep who never met a stranger and always shared her stories. 

Margaret moved to Tekakwitha Living Center in 2016; later she made her home at Edgewood Assisted Living, both in Sisseton, SD, where she enjoyed her neighbors’ company and compassionate staff for seven years. She recently moved to Strand Kjorsvig Living Center, where she was kindly cared for until the time of her death. 

Margaret lived her entire life simply in the Marshall-Day-Roberts County area, but her impact on her community was great. She was a life-time member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served St. Barbara’s band of the Altar Society, Foresters, American Legion Auxiliary Post #50, Knights of Columbus, Lion’s Club, and South Dakota Retired Teachers Association. She participated in Marshall County’s Relay for Life and proudly represented herself as a cancer survivor. Margaret was founder of the Eden Widows Club and sported red and purple on adventures with Red Hats Society members. She attended Sisseton Grace Lutheran’s quilting guild and was the voice of the Eden News; her writing was published weekly in The Britton (Marshall County) Journal, Webster Reporter and Farmer, and Sisseton Courier. 

Margaret’s greatest gifts were her never-ending energy, purposeful work ethic, and forward-thinking, can-do attitude. A child during the Depression, there was nothing she could not collect, clean, or reuse. Margaret’s positive outlook motivated many interests. She was a skilled baker and had a green thumb. Later in life, she sewed hundreds of blue jean and scrap quilts. As a historian, she enjoyed journaling, photo collecting, and family record-keeping. Competitive, strong, and athletic, Margaret was forever young, and all agree that she never seemed to age. 

Grateful to have learned from her wisdom are her family. Margaret is survived by her children DeLaine (Angelo) Aldentaler, Eden, and John (Scott) Thuringer, Sioux Falls; grandchildren Kelli (Paul) Buisker, Heather Aldentaler, Joseph Aldentaler, Franklin (Lacey) Hostetler, and Johanna (Marc) Knipper; and three great-grandchildren Lauren and Nathan Buisker, and Dawson Hostetler. She is also survived and much loved by youngest brother Peter (Lorraine) Waletich, Webster, and sister-in-law Jane Wika, Webster. Margaret was a dear aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband John, daughter Katherine, son-in-law Albert Hostetler, granddaughter Heidi, her parents, brothers George, John, Joe, Leo, and Rupert, and sisters Mathilda and Rosina. 

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and service, and we will always fondly remember her as our teacher, matriarch, and humble servant of the Lord.