MARGARET SCHWARTZENBERGER

MARGARET SCHWARTZENBERGER, 96 of Devils Lake, ND died Saturday evening, January 2, 2009 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Peter Sharpe will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Margaret Burkhartsmeier was born on November 17, 1913 to Michael and Magdalena (Volk) Burkhartsmeier in Spring Lake Township, Pierce County, North Dakota. She attended the Freshwater Township School and later worked for several area farm families and Devils Lake families. Margaret was united in marriage to Valentine Schwartzenberger on November 26, 1938 at Devils Lake. They lived for a time in Grand Forks and returned to Devils Lake in 1943 where they made their home through the years. Valentine died on September 24, 1970. She was a homemaker and mother. She had a quirky sense of humor and a very positive attitude, which sustained her as she worked, while maintaining a home and family. She worked many years as a Cook in the Devils Lake school system, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion and various other places around town. She also cooked for the Officers Mess at the annual National Guard encampment along with many other ladies of St. Joseph Parish. She loved to cook, embroider and sew. Her family all enjoy the quilts and plastic canvas Christmas tree ornaments she was so good at creating. She also loved children and spent many Sunday mornings in the nurseries of various churches in Devils Lake. Margaret is survived by her daughters, Mildred Votendahl of Huntington Beach, California and Elaine Jackson of Waterloo, Iowa ; her sons, William of New Rockford, ND, Louis (Mary) of Vancouver, Washington , Ronald (Eileen) of Strathmore, California and Richard (Margaret) of Lytle Creek, California; sisters, Evangeline Caverly of Fargo, ND and Magdalena Marlow of Boise, Idaho; Margaret is also survived by ten grandchildren: Tony (Maria) Votendahl, Valerie (Dave) Arneson, Veronica (Jim) Palinkas, Mark (Dee-Dee) Votendahl, Roberta (Tim) Shipp, Kim Schwartzenberger, Vicki (Rod) Reed, Shawn (Irina) Schwartzenberger, Joshua (Verly) Schwartzenberger and Zaki (Terry) Webb; twenty-seven great grandchildren: Paula, Hazel, Gabe, Lindsey, Myka, Marlboro, Sarah, Ryan, Brittany, Colin, Danielle, Allena, Brenden, Dakota, Summer, Justin, Jessica, Laura, Paul, Yuliya, Nicolas, Scott Richard, Jeramya, Aaron, Al, Cody Jr. and Alynna; ;two great great granddaughters, Maddisyn Schwartzenberger and Ava Marie Pritt. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Valentine; grandsons, Steven Jackson, Tracy Votendahl, Val Schwartzenberger and Cody Schwartzenberger; five brothers, Tony, Michael, Christian, Leo and George; sisters, Walberga Schwartzenberger and Johnna Kuntz; sons-in-law, James Votendahl and Donald Jackson;