Margaret Laurinda Dankers, 85, formerly of Goodhue, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on Friday, September 29th, 2023. She spent her final days surrounded by loved ones sharing cherished memories.
She was born on February 2nd, 1938 in Salem Township, WI to Edwin and Mabel (Peterson) Olson. She attended Salem four, a one-room schoolhouse, and then Maiden Rock High School. She graduated on May 25, 1955. Soon after, she became a clerk in the Clerk of Court office in Ellsworth, Wisconsin.
On a rainy evening on May 9, 1959, she married Glen Dankers at Salem Lutheran Church. The happy couple made their home on a dairy farm near Goodhue, where they worked side by side for many years. After selling the farm in 1986, Margaret continued to work alongside Glen in his career as a real estate agent and broker. During their 61 years of marriage, Glen and Margaret raised two children, Mary Jo (Dan) Schwartau and Bruce Dankers. They attended their grandchildren’s activities and sporting events - even through rain, sleet, and snow.
One of Margaret’s greatest joys in life was sharing baked goods and a cup of coffee with family and friends, along with engaging in good conversation and playing board games. She created a home that was carefully decorated for each season and loved hosting family for holidays. Helping her grandchildren and great-grandchildren bake for county fairs was the highlight of each summer. She eagerly anticipated attending the fairs to see which ribbons were awarded.
Margaret was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She and Glen maintained the flowers that decorated the entrance and enjoyed weekly services. She made meals for church events and delivered food to fellow congregants, neighbors, and other members of the community in times of need.
It is said that rain on your wedding day is a sign of a lasting marriage and riches to come. Glen and Margaret often said that they led a rich life filled with love, family, and lasting friendships. Just like their wedding day, her last day on this earth was rainy - a sign of the richness awaiting her in heaven when she was reunited with her savior and her husband of over 60 years.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, siblings James, Floyd (Gladys), Clinton (Dorothea), Howard (Jean), Leonard (Wanda), Harold, Maynard (Carol), Dorothy (Glenn) Johnson, her husband Glen, and grandson Dustin Dankers. She is survived by her sister, May (Stan) Ramberg; Sylvia Anderson; daughter Mary Jo (Dan) Schwartau; son Bruce Dankers; grandchildren Melissa (Dave) Fitzgerald Bryce (Brooklyn) Dankers, Ashley (Ean) Gibson, and Tyler Matthys, great grandchildren Morgan, Mikayla, Madelyn, and Mariah Fitzgerald, Harvey and Kashton Dankers, Arthur and Walter Gibson, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Inurnment will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Goodhue, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
