Marie Muckala

Marie Harriet Muckala was the fourth of nine children born to Nels and Clara Sandager, coming into the world on February 15, 1922 in Hills, MN. After graduating from Hills High School in 1940, she worked for a short time in California. On January 15, 1943, in the midst of World War II, Marie married Merle Muckala, of Bagley, MN while on his furlough from the United States Army. Marie then joined Merle in Staten Island, NY where she worked in a boat factory until returning home to Hills to have her first child, a son. She and the baby soon joined Merle at his duty station in Manhattan, KS. After the war ended, they lived in Hills before moving to Bagley, where they added two daughters to the family. In 1951, Marie and Merle moved their family to a farm near Arco, MN where they lived for 23 years and had two more daughters. Marie was an able and competent woman, who partnered with Merle in the operation of their farm. She was also a compassionate, loving mother, who was supportive of and involved in her children's educations and extracurricular activities. Marie enjoyed gardening, sewing, classical music, and embroidery, and was also active in the First English Lutheran Church in nearby Tyler, MN and in neighborhood clubs. The last few years on the farm, Marie completed Nurse's Aide Training and worked at the Divine Providence Nursing Home in Ivanhoe, MN as well as the Tyler Hospital. In 1974, after raising all her children, she and her husband relocated to Oakdale, MN where they lived for the next 30 years. Marie remained active in church, neighborhood Bible studies, her family business, as proprietor of a neighboring property, and even worked for a time at St. Paul Children's Hospital as a Nurse's Aide, where she especially loved rocking the babies to sleep. She continued to tend her roses and add to her bird collection. However, Marie's greatest joys were her family and her travels. Marie and her husband enjoyed exploring the United States, oftentimes in their camping trailer, and journeying abroad throughout Europe, the Philippines, the Caribbean and Mexico. One highlight during her retirement was enjoying a live performance of Luciano Pavarotti. Marie lovingly welcomed each grandchild and great-grandchild who joined her family throughout the years, ensuring that each one felt special. In 2004, when her husband became ill, they moved to the Brownstone Townhomes at Boutwells' Landing Retirement Community, Stillwater, MN. Merle passed away shortly thereafter. Marie subsequently moved to the Commons area of Boutwells in 2009 and then on to the Gables area in 2011. While there, Marie relished her family relationships the most, enjoying family visits from all. She passed away peacefully at 92 years of age on May 18, 2014 in Stillwater, MN, the same day her first great-grandchild graduated from high school. She was preceded in death by Merle, her husband of 61 years; her parents; 3 sisters: Lenore, Leona, and Beulah; and 2 brothers: Victor and Paul. She is survived by her 5 children: Raymond Muckala of Maplewood, MN; Marilyn (Gary) Orlich of Marine-on-St.Croix, MN; Margaret (Darrel) Beck of Springfield, MO; Kathryn (Keith) Serie of Tyler, MN; and Julie (Bill) Kempenich of Wyoming, MN; 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 siblings: Sheldon Sandager, Lee Sandager, and Anita (Sandager) Johnson. Blessed be her memory.