Margaret Catherine Henry

MARGARET CATHERINE HENRY

October 2, 1918 - February 13, 2019

      Margaret Catherine Henry, 100, of rural Park Rapids, MN died on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 while under the loving care of her family and Our Lady of Peace Hospice facility home health care staff in St. Paul, MN.

      Margaret C. McDonald was born in Straight River Township, Hubbard County, MN on October 2, 1918 the daughter of James J. and Elizabeth C. (Nugent) McDonald.  She grew up in the Park Rapids area attending country school then graduating from Park Rapids High School with the class of 1938.  After graduation, she ventured to Montana with her father and found work in Yellowstone Park.  It was a happy time in her life after struggling through the depression.  It was here she met her future husband Alfred W. Brieschke.  They were married on November 1, 1940 in Livingston, Montana and resided in Gardiner, Montana.  With the U.S. involvement in WWII, Al was inducted into the Army in Livingston, Montana on July 17, 1942.  Soon after, Marge returned to Straight River Township.  A son John was born to this marriage in Park Rapids, Minnesota on March 18, 1943.  Marge’s marriage ended tragically when Al was killed on Guadalcanal on January 29, 1945.

      Being a woman of strong faith she took on the challenge of raising a young son and started a job at the Citizens National Bank where she worked for many years as a teller/bookkeeper.  It was here in the 1950’s that she met Henry B. Henry, an employee of the Minnesota Highway Department.  They married on the sixth day of June in 1964.  They spent the first ten years of this marriage in the city of Duluth.  Upon Henry’s retirement, they moved back to Straight River Township where they spent their retirement years with winters in Florida, Texas, or Arizona.  Upon Henry’s passing on April tenth of 1990, Marge continued living in rural Park Rapids with occasional travels with family and friends.

      Margaret saw the best in people and always had a smile on her face.  She was loved by all who knew her.

      She is survived by her son, John Brieschke; two grandchildren: Julie and Benjamin; seven great-grandchildren: Millyn, Makae, Blue, Joey, Alex, Gia and Archer; along with nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, and her husbands Alfred and Henry. 

      Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 23, 2019 at St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, Park Rapids, MN.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.  Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace, 2076 St. Anthony Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104

      To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com