Marguerite M. Nath, age 75, of Adrian and Luverne, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, December 15, 2023, while at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center.
Visitation will be Monday, December 18, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 19, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., all at the church. A private family graveside service will take place at St. Adrian Cemetery in Adrian at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home. To view Marguerite’s life tribute video or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Marguerite Mary Nath was born on May 27, 1948, to Lawrence and Bernice (Wieneke) Cook in Adrian, Minnesota. She grew up a farm girl on the Cook family farm. The youngest of 10 siblings, she was spoiled and got away with a lot. Her older siblings were always sure to keep a close eye on her though, especially Lorraine. When she was 5 years old, Maggie won the earliest fight of her life. She and four brothers and sisters beat polio, and Marge lived a life bravely battling its effects. She attended school at St. Adrian Catholic School, graduating in 1966. That was also the year she met the love of her life, Willy Nath, at the Armory in Luverne. It was love at first sight and began a lifelong romance.
They were married on July 13, 1968, at St. Adrian Catholic Church. Marguerite stayed in Adrian while Willy was deployed to Vietnam. In January of 1969, Marge joined Willy at his new posting in Colorado, where they welcomed their first son, Ricky.
Willy was honorably discharged in 1970 and the new family returned to Adrian where Marguerite took on the most important role of her life, Mom, to what would become a family of seven. She also started an in-home day care during this time to help other mothers and children in the Adrian area. While the kids grew up, Mom was always there to watch their sports from volleyball, track, and basketball, to football. Little did she know, watching her boys play football would spark a huge passion for the Minnesota Vikings. There was never a Sunday in the fall that you didn’t find Gramma Guertie in front of the TV watching and rooting for her favorite team.
As her kids aged, Marguerite decided to work outside of the house. She obtained her CNA certification and worked for the Adrian Nursing Home and the Luverne Hospital.
Marguerite felt very fortunate to be able to share Willy’s passion for lake life at their cabin on Lake Sarah. It was there they most loved getting the family together to spend time with their kids, 13 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids. Many laughs, meals and great times where had together.
On December 15, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family, Marguerite passed away unexpectedly at the age of 75 years, 6 months, and 19 days.
Marguerite loved to spend her time sewing, baking and cooking. Whether it was a T-shirt quilt, 1000’s of Butterfinger bars, or mounds of potato salad, mom loved sharing her talents with others. She loved her family deeply and always cherished time with them.
Not only was Marge a great wife, mother and grandmother but she was a dear friend to many. Those of us that knew Marge best can appreciate her ability to talk on the phone. She was always keeping in contact with those she held close and loved dearly. She was also quite the card shark and enjoyed the friendship of her sisters and others when playing cards.
Looking back and knowing that she was the youngest of 10, Marguerite was always thankful for her parents’ love and the nurturing of the nine siblings that helped raise her. With all that Marguerite did for her family and others, the thing she held closest to her heart was the love and faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That created a lifelong relationship that started with her baptism in St. Adrian’s Catholic Church until she passed into glory.
Left to cherish Marguerite’s memory are her husband, Willy Nath, of Luverne; children, Ricky (Amy Rave) Nath of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Vicky (Dale) Ross of Fulda, Minnesota, Sandy Nath of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Scott (Lori) Nath of Luverne; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren plus one little blessing on the way; and siblings, Lorraine Poss of Sibley, Iowa, Donna Langel of LeMars, Iowa, Betty Herman of Ellsworth, Minnesota, Orville (Virginia) Cook of Windom, Minnesota, and Mary Wolf of Sioux Falls.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Bernice Cook; siblings Loren Cook, Virginia Deutsch, Virgil Cook and Jim Cook; and daughter Boby Jo Nath.
Always remember: “Gotta love those Vikings!”