Margaret Novakoske

Margaret Novakoske, age 86 of Sobieski, passed away peacefully Monday, July 2, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital after complications from a stroke. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, July 6, 2018 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski. Father Jimmy Joseph will officiate and burial will be at the parish cemetery. Visitation is 4:00- 8:00 PM Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. The Daughters of Isabella will pray the Rosary at 4:30 PM. Another visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church in Sobieski.

Margaret was born in Opole, MN on July 12, 1931 to Paul and Gunda (Rudolph) Skwira and moved the following year to Swan River Township. She attended the catholic school in Sobieski and then later elementary at District 13 the Little Red School House. Margaret (or Marge) graduated from Little Falls High School in 1948 and the Teaching Training Department in Little Falls in 1949. She taught in rural Swanville Township from 1949- 1951. She then married Arthur (Art) Novakoske on June 26th, 1951. They farmed in rural Swanville Township and then on the family farm from 1956 to 1974 when they moved to Sobieski. Arthur passed away on April 29th, 1989. Margaret returned to teaching at the Elmdale School for 5 years (67 72), St. Marys Catholic School for 1 year (72 73) and then to Swanville Elementary for 20 years (73 93), retiring in 1993. After she returned to teaching, she continued her education taking many off-campus and summer school classes. She received her Bachelor of Science in 1971 and a Master of Science in 1979 both from St. Cloud State University.

After Margaret retired she spent many hours volunteering for Respite Hospice and at St. Gabriels Hospital. She was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski where she taught catechism, read at daily mass, served as Sacristan and a Eucharistic Minister and took Communion to the homebound. She was a member of the Rosary Society and the Daughters of Isabella.

Margaret enjoyed travel in the US and made many trips overseas. She especially enjoyed vacations with her siblings to Mexico. Favorite hobbies included gardening, yard care, tending to her beautiful flower beds, theater and reading. She most enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include Larry (Mary Kay) Novakoske of Little Falls, Mary Lou Marsolek (Rich) of Ham Lake, Nancy Hoogenhous (John) of Andover, Jerry (Peggy) Novakoske of Blaine, and Julie Anderholm (David) of Nisswa. Grandchildren Michelle Novakoske of New Orleans, Kristin Novakoske of Wyoming, MN, Jennifer Novakoske of Chicago, Eric Marsolek of Albertville, Sarah Gute of Brooklyn Park, Ryan Novakoske of Minneapolis, Kaitlyn Anderholm of Minneapolis, Benjamin Anderholm of Minneapolis and Joseph Anderholm of Nisswa. Step Grandchildren Angie Brogle, Annemarie Ackerman, Rob Ackerman, and Emily Carrollman. Six great-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren. Brothers Leroy (Mickey) and Edward (Doris) Skwira and sister Pat (Jerry) Virnig.

Preceded in death by husband Arthur Novakoske, parents Paul and Gunda Skwira, sister Rita Skwira, niece Gail Virnig, nephew Tim Skwira and his daughter Jessica.

Memorials will be donated to St. Stanislaus Church, Sobieski as well as other organizations she was passionate about.