Margaret Thunselle

Margaret Thunselle, 90, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, November 29, 2024 at Heart to Home in Mendota Heights, MN.

Margaret Gertrude Sheldahl was born September 27, 1934 to Reverend AJ and Lillian Sheldahl in Williston, ND. She grew up in rural North Dakota and Minnesota where her father served as Pastor for multiple rural congregations.

She met Dale Thunselle while living in the parsonage at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, just south of Fergus Falls. They were married at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church May 23, 1954. Margaret gave birth to their first son, Daniel in July 1955 at Camp Gordon, GA where Dale was serving in the Army. The family next moved to Fort Lewis, WA where Dale's Army service was completed. They returned to Minnesota, living in Minneapolis where Margaret gave birth to their son, Robert in May 1958. Dale obtained a mail carrier position in Fergus Falls, and in September 1959 a 65-acre farm was purchased 2 ½ miles NE of Fergus Falls. Margaret gave birth to their daughter Linda in August of 1960 and Jonathan was born in 1966. Margaret was a full-time house wife, lovingly caring for her children and husband on the farm.

She was active in rural school PTA, children's activities, homemakers' groups, 4-H Club, and many church group activities. The family participated in Barbershop music and local singing groups, and friend group activities. As the children grew older, Margaret worked some retail jobs as well as various childcare services. She also had a large garden which kept the freezer full of vegetables and fruit.

Margaret was always thrilled to spend time with her grandchildren. She and Dale hosted annual family Christmas gatherings at the farm and loved to travel to Wyoming and Washington state and the Twin Cities to visit the children and grandchildren living there. They also traveled to Arizona in the winter for a number of years and enjoyed the fellowship there with good friends.

One of Margaret's many joys was spending time at Ten Mile Lake. The summer home was the site of many family gatherings and lots of good memories.

After Dale passed away, Margaret moved to a condo in Fergus Falls in 2006. She continued to be active in church and family activities. She moved to Apple Valley Villa in October 2019 and was moved to Heart to Home Memory Care in August 2024.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Dale, and brother Phillip.

Margaret is survived by her children, Daniel (Nancy) of Rosemount, MN; Robert of Casper, WY; Linda of Minnetonka, MN; Jonathan (Sally) of Snohomish, WA; sister Carol Hult of Portland, OR; 8 Grandchildren: Matthew Thunselle, Amy Deutschman, and Linnea Huynh, Tiffany Linck and Karissa Thunselle, Alexandra Fadenrecht, Maggie Thunselle and Ben Thunselle; and 10 Great Grandchildren: Aurora and Roslyn Thunselle, Noelle and Grace Deutschman, Kinley and Beau Linck, Kayden Carothers and Keira Griswold, Grady and Jackson Fadenrecht.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Loren Mellum

Interment: Kongsberg Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com