Saturday, September 5, 2020

Remembering Margaret A. Lais: (Sharon Natzel's mother)

Margaret A. Lais

Margaret Agnes Lais, 97, of Park Rapids, MN, entered eternal life on August 31, 2020.
Margaret was born on October 14, 1922, in St. Paul, MN, to Anthony and Catherine Agnes (nee O’Dea) Rozycki. She grew up in Blackduck, MN, with her siblings Anthony, Raymond, and Anna Mae.

Margaret enjoyed watching baseball like her father and developed a love for the outdoors tagging along with her older brothers, calling herself “Pete” to be one of the boys. She learned to play the violin and discovered other interests such as sewing, knitting, gardening, and baking.

After graduating from Blackduck High School, Margaret attended Bemidji Teachers College and the University of Minnesota. Margaret was a laboratory assistant with 3M and in 1946 became the first woman chemist at H.B. Fuller Company.

It was at the wedding reception of her friends Mildred and Duane where she met the brother of the groom and the love of her life, Clair. On June 9, 1951, they were united in marriage in St. Paul, MN, at the Saint Paul Cathedral, the home parish of the couple. Later, they relocated to Park Rapids, MN, joined St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church parish, and established Lais Jewelry with Margaret as the bookkeeper. As a couple, they enjoyed dancing through life creating a wonderful family of six daughters, just shy of the baseball team of boys Margaret dreamed of having.

Margaret was devoted to her faith, husband, family, friends, and community. She enjoyed Whist and Bridge club with women who became lifelong friends. She was known as “down the middle Margaret” at the golf course. She loved watching the MN Twins win, experimenting with recipes, square dancing or any dance for that matter and became a talented artist with paintings inspired by nature. To stress the value that homemade items are given from the heart, her note cards were made from her paintings to express special gratitude for kindness.

Margaret lived life with the highest of standards. She was a person devoted to faith and family – especially doting on her sons-in-law. She had an infectious smile and laugh who will be missed by many. She is survived by her six daughters: Sharon (Bob) Natzel, Diane Lais (Steven Graham), Rita Lais, Janet (Melvin) Larson, Monica Lais (Robert Hauge, Jr.) Mary (Mike) Chandler; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister Anna Mae, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Clair.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, September 5th, 2020 at 11 AM, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids. Internment will follow at the St Peter the Apostle Catholic Cemetery in Park Rapids. Please join the family for a luncheon immediately following the service.

Flowers or memorials will be accepted. Preferred Memorial - CHI St Joseph’s Health Hospice Care. A memorial to The Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Foundation would also be appropriate.

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