Margaret Mary Maier, 96, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Margaret was born on Sept. 28, 1927, to Charles and Margaret (LaMere) Turner in Centuria, Wisconsin. There she grew up on the family farm and attended school in Milltown. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis where she worked for Dayton’s. Margaret then started dating Harold, and they were united in marriage on June 7, 1947, at St. Patrick Church in Centuria.
Margaret and Harold made their home on a farm in Georgetown Township while raising their growing family of five children and twins on the way. The family then moved to Balsam Lake after Harold became sheriff. While Harold was sheriff, Margaret put her cooking talents to work by cooking for the prisoners at the county jail. During this time, Margaret also cared for her seven children and cooked her family wonderful meals, and she worked at the Polk County Government Center, as well. She later took a job as the register of probate, which she loved, and worked there until retiring at age 72. During her career, she won several awards recognizing her for her work in probate.
Not only will Margaret be remembered for her amazing cooking, but she will also be remembered for her baking, especially the fresh bread that she baked each week. She also had a vegetable garden that seemed to never stop growing in size. Margaret enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing and was a member of the Red Hat Society. Much of Margaret’s time was also spent at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake. She taught religious education for a number of years, and if there was a church activity or function, Margaret was there helping.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; infant daughter, Margaret Mary; sisters, Eileen Gross and Felicia Langer; and grandson, David Maier. She is survived by her children, Gary (Gail), Greg (Georgia), Sue (Brad) Gross, Steve (Lynn), Cindy (Randy) Wienke, Terri (Tim) Christensen and Tom; brother, Charlie (Marion) Turner; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
A visitation will take place on Monday, April 8, from 4-7 p.m., with a rosary service at 6:45 p.m., at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Centuria.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, wesharegiving.org.
Margaret’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to No Place Like Home and St. Croix Health for their compassionate care.
To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute, please visit williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery, Wisconsin.
