Margaret "Muggs" Olive McDonald

Margaret McDonald of Rush City, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Northern Pines Assisted Living in Pine City, surrounded by family. She was 96 years old.

Margaret (Muggs) was born on June 25, 1922 to Robert and Stella Wedmark. She was the oldest of three children and attended and graduated from Rush City Schools. She was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rush Point.

Margaret grew up in Rush City and while in high school she met Jack, the love of her life. They attended school together and Muggs often did Jack’s homework. After high school, Jack joined the Army Air Corps and served in WWII. They married on April 6, 1943, while stationed in Arizona. Jack and Margaret’s first daughter, Josephine Ann “JoAnn”, was born in 1944, their second daughter, Pamela Lu, was born in 1952.

Margaret worked various jobs while they were in the Army and upon returning to Rush City, she worked for the U.S. Postal Service. She primarily worked at Rush City, but she and Pam also had adventurous drives in snowy weather when they worked at the St. Paul Post Office. She also spent years working at the Rock Creek Post Office and gained weight due to Shirley Peterson’s wonderful cooking. After a 30-year career at the post office, Muggs went home for lunch one day, called the Union to see if she was eligible to retire, and didn’t return. She loved telling that story.

Both Jack and Margaret retired early and for 17 years enjoyed winters in Arizona. They spent most of their Wednesday mornings browsing the flea market and, in their last years together, had 3 PM coffee at the Rush City Burger King with many friends. They blessed their family with multiple vacations to Arizona and Mexico. They would take up to four generations and 25 family members on these trips.

Margaret was very athletic; in high school she was able to long jump out of the pit, loved to hit home runs while playing softball with boys, and into her 40's she would sprint race her grandchildren down the street. She was also a dedicated volunteer, being in service to the VFW, Meals on Wheels, the Rush City Senior Dining Site, and, into her 90's, for Red Cross Blood Drives. In her last years, Muggs loved to tell stories of “When we were in the Army.”

Margaret adored her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, attending as many of their activities as she could.

“Jackie” and “Muggs” had a very special relationship. They were high school sweethearts and then were married for 64½ years, never arguing a day. If you saw one of them the other was right there as well. Jack treated her like a queen. Muggs missed him terribly, and from his death in 2007, she was never the same.

She is survived by daughter JoAnn Lindstrom of Pine City; grandchildren Kris (Randy) Clementson, Lara (Snuffy) Smetana, Dr. Karin (Joel) Lindstrom Bremer, Eric (Erin) White and Carrie (Jim) Stumne; great-grandchildren Jared (Bry) Clementson, Jordan (Nikki) Clementson, Brietta Clementson, Peyton and Maggie Jo Smetana, Aidan Pierson, Ethan and Ellie Mae White, Carter and McKenzie Stumne; great-great-grandchildren Weston, Annika, and Miraya Clementson and Emme Clementson; son-in-law Barry (Terri) White of Pine City; nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Stella Wedmark; husband Jack McDonald; daughter Pam White; son-in-law Harvey Lindstrom; granddaughter Jaclyn White; sister Ida “Annie” Taubert; brother Donald Wedmark.

Reverend Dr. Vicki VanderVegt will officate funeral services for Margaret: 11 AM; Monday (6/10/19) at Calvary Lutheran Church, Rush Point.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned Sunday (6/9/19) from 5-7 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also one hour prior to the service at the church.  The interment will take place in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Rush City.

Memorials may be designated to Fairview Hospice.

Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel.
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com