Margaret Goldstein

Margaret Goldstein, 90, of Prairie Village, Kansas, died on Monday, October 6th, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at the gravesite at Rosehill Cemetery on Thursday, October 9th, at 11:00 a.m. Kindly omit flowers; the family suggests contributions of one's choice.
Margaret was born on November 19th, 1934, in Essen, Germany, to Julius and Beatte Windmüller. Her childhood was a brave and bold adventure. At the age of 4, she traveled to the United States on the Holland America boat arriving at Ellis Island in 1938. Their American sponsor were cousins in Kansas City while the remaining family members stayed in Germany.
Her father struggled to adapt to the new world while juggling learning English and working. He built a business selling sundries by having customers point to the picture in the catalog for items to purchase. After his passing, Beatte remarried into the Mason family, and Margaret gained a brother, Wayne Mason.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business from Kansas City University (now known as UMKC)
After college, her life entered a new chapter with steadfast motherhood and unwavering resolve. She married her beloved husband, Lawrence Goldstein, and was married for 68 years. Larry was devoted to building a life for her. He worked endless hours to create successful businesses, a string of Pharmacies, One Hour Photo, Franchise businesses and never waived from providing for his family.
Together, they were steadfast. As a mother, Margaret embodied devotion in the everlasting carpool lines, driving to Hebrew school lessons, and supervising the family activities. Her love of learning took her far and wide to the Nelson-Atkins Museum and every wondrous place in Kansas City that she could share with those she loved most.
She found her greatest joy in feeding the hearts of others. Every meal she prepared was more than food - it was an act of love, a way of gathering friends closely and reminding them they belonged. Her kitchen was always alive with the scent of flour and sugar, laughter spilling over simmering pots, golden pie crusts, and fancy layered Jello's. Her dinner parties became legendary - evenings filled with warmth, light, and stories that lingered long after the plates were cleared.
She was known for her pies that could make anyone smile - her apple pie, a masterpiece of comfort and care, and her strawberry-rhubarb, tangy and sweet, forever a close second. To sit at her table was to be wrapped in love, one delicious slice at a time. Ever devoted to sharing her gifts, she spent several years at The Temple, serving as the kitchen manager, a role that let her nourish the hearts of many.
She was a brilliant woman – curious, thoughtful, insightful, and playful. Her passions extended far and wide. She delighted in the challenge of crossword puzzles. She cherished her time on the tennis court and carried a spunk for life that touched every soul.
Among her many responsibilities, she always carved out moments for whimsy, mischief, and joy. Once, she drove a Hurst left as a joke on their driveway to Hebrew school pick up that Uncle Bob, a dear friend, and Uncle Wayne, her brother, had bought as a fishing boat. Her moxie and strong character are part of her cherished memory.
Margaret's family spent summers at the lake on their Cruzer, nicknamed "Marla", short for Margaret and Lawrence. Summers at the lake were a delight for the simple joy of drifting along the shoreline. Spring brought its own delight, a time spent planting flowers, tending to her garden, and watching the season's turn.
When the kids were almost out of high school, she went to night school and received a Master's in Quantitative Forecasting. She owned ValPak of Kansas and worked in couponing for 40 years. She had a strong saleswoman's spirit, carrying with her an aura of "no regrets." Born to sell, many businesses tried to turn her away, but she never gave up. She used to say that, "a closed door was just another opportunity."
She is survived by her loving husband, Lawrence Goldstein, her brother, Wayne (Marilyn) Mason, her 2 children, Janet Galapo and Jerry (Beverly) Goldstein, and 5 grandchildren, Samuel Galapo, Sara Galapo, Morgan Goldstein, Sydney Goldstein, and Bailey McCrea.