Margaret Angelina Theresia Stommel

Margaret touched many people in her long life. And everyone holds in their hearts today treasured memories. These memories mark the many gifts and graces the Lord has given us from knowing and loving Margaret.

Margaret was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. Margaret was born in Holland, one of eleven children. She was trained as a nurse and worked in a hospital during World War II. She met Frank at this time through Frank’s sister and he became the love of her life. During their courtship Frank went to great lengths to spend time with Margaret. In those days only medical personnel could enter the hospital where Margaret worked so Frank would put on a lab coat, grab a medical bag and pretend to be a doctor in order to spend time with Margaret. Their love affair would include over 61 years of marriage until Frank’s passing twelve years ago. During those years they raised their six children and in time welcomed their many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Frank and Margaret immigrated to the United States in 1956. Here Margaret continued her nursing career at St. Agnes, working the night shift. Together she and Frank were parishioners at the Newman Center and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. They were the first King and Queen of the Newman Center Renaissance Festival. And they were active in Marriage Encounter.

Margaret was a friendly and outgoing woman. She had a kind and generous nature and heart. She loved to dance and when Frank got tired, she’d simply grab someone else and keep going. Margaret loved to sing and was in the choir for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting for many years. More recently Margaret enjoyed puzzles and coloring drawings with great beauty and detail. She also enjoyed traveling. With Frank she visited many countries in Europe and the better part of the United States.

Margaret had a bit of a sweet tooth and loved her Dutch cookies and mints. She introduced many in this community to the Dutchman who regularly traveled to the area with Dutch cookies and other delights. Margaret loved company and was a gracious hostess, always ready to serve drinks and sweets to visitors.

Margaret placed her generous heart into concrete service to others. Together with Frank she was an integral part of getting Poverello House off the ground. Margaret regularly made a couple hundred sandwiches and chili and joined Frank feeding the homeless. Margaret truly lived the gospel commandment of love of neighbor. Her faithful discipleship was honored with the Benemerenti Medal for service to the Church that both she and Frank were awarded by the Pope.

Family was of the great importance to Margaret. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. And Margaret loved our Lord and had a great faith in Him. She was faithful to her prayer and the sacraments, and a regular at daily mass. I remember watching her helping Frank into church for daily Mass in my early years here at OLPH. When she physically wasn’t able to come to Mass she lamented the fact, but found consolation watching the Mass on TV. Margaret had a special devotion to Our Lady and prayed the rosary daily. Every night she offered her prayers for family, friends and the souls in Purgatory. She strived to witness to the love of God in her life by passing that love on to others. Margaret lived a life that was centered on Jesus, living as his disciple, loving and serving Him as she loved and served her neighbor.

Margaret lived for Jesus in this life, through the good times and the bad. She was His faithful servant. As Margaret was faithful to God in this life we are confident in faith that Jesus will be faithful to the promise that He made to Margaret in her baptism – to raise her to new life.