Margie Mae Cooney

1923 - 2026

Saint Peter, Minnesota - Margie Mae (Ponwith) Cooney passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026 in St. Peter, MN. She was 102 and 3/4 years old.

Visitation will be from 2-5pm, Sunday, March 1, 2026 at St. Peter Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 11am, Monday, March 2026 preceded by a visitation from 10-11am and followed by a lunch at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter.

Margie was born on May 1, 1923 to Julie (Wendelschafer) Ponwith and Elmo Ponwith and lived on the family farm with her parents and her brother, Donald Elmo Ponwith, in Cleveland, Minnesota.

Margie graduated from Cleveland Public School in 1941. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College, graduated from the University of Minnesota, and did graduate work at the U of M and Mankato State University. She taught in Le Center and then Cleveland High School for over 35 years, including classes in science, biology, speech, drama, and home economics. She married her beloved husband, Robert F. Cooney, in 1949 and they lived in Le Center until after Robert passed away in 1996. She lived her remaining years in St. Peter, MN.

Margie was an artist, historian, gardener, women's fashion designer, art, rock and gem collector, enthusiastic foodie, and had a fascination with the desert Southwest, particularly with native American art and history. She was a person of deep faith and was active in her churches in Le Center and St. Peter. Margie was a voracious lifelong learner and was happiest when she learned something new every single day. A perfect day for Margie in her later years included learning something new and a conversation with a family member, friend, or past student over a good cup of coffee.

Margie is survived by her nieces, Bonnie, Lori, Lynne, Beth, and Lisa; 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 17 great-great-nieces and great-great nephews on the Ponwith side. On the Cooney side, she is survived by Jerry, Joan, Barb, Diane, Peggy, Suzanne, Greg, Jolene, Shari, Pat Jr., Karen, Jim, Kathy, David, Mary Lynn, Dan, Terri, Paula, Chuck, Mark, Julie, Carol, Chris, Mary, Anne; plus 55 great-nieces and great-nephews and 84 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents; brother; husband; and her nephew, Bruce Ponwith.

Memorials in Margie's honor may be made to River's Edge Hospital Foundation.