Margie Backowski

Margie Backowski, 89 year old resident of Flensburg, MN passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN with Father Joe Backowski officiating and Father Jimmy Joseph con-celebrating. Burial took place in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery in Flensburg, MN.
Margie Charlene Pantzke Backowski was born at home in Culdrum Township on April 3, 1927 to Edwin Fredrick Pantzke and Alice Johnson Pantzke. Margie attended District 140, a one room school house in Culdrum Township and later graduated from Little Falls High School in 1944. After graduation, Margie worked at Victor Clothing in Little Falls until her marriage on May 26, 1948 to Philip Backowski in Flensburg, Minnesota. After their marriage, Margie and Philip settled on Philip’s family’s dairy, hog and crop farm in Flensburg, where together they raised seven children and the place Margie called home for over fifty years.
Margie was generally found at home, working in the kitchen, canning, cooking and baking while listening to KLTF radio in the background. She enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, so that she could provide produce for her family and anyone else that was in need. There was often a bouquet of fresh cut seasonal flowers on the kitchen table when the flowers were in bloom.
When Margie wasn’t taking care of the behind the scenes work on the farm, her life revolved around her family, faith and community. Margie was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Flensburg, where she served as a rosary sodality member, funeral lunch group leader, parish council member and was available to help whenever help was needed. Margie was very devoted to her faith beliefs and the goodness of others. Generosity, compassion, acceptance and caring came easily for Margie. Because of these values, many people sought her company, friendship and fellowship, including the special friendship of the Franciscan Sisters.
Margie was very involved in the community, serving as Clerk for the Village of Flensburg for 28 years. Once her children were grown, Margie had the opportunity to share her “nurse” qualities by working for Morrison County Public Health as a Home Health Aide for 13 years.
Margie made a point to spend quality time with the love of her life, best friend…husband, Philip. Together they enjoyed fishing sunfish and walleyes on local lakes, playing cards, dancing, picking wild blueberries and being with family and friends. They never missed an opportunity to be with their children and grandchildren…having picnics in the woods, providing child care, attending school events, birthday parties, sporting events (especially baseball games), graduations and weddings. Margie’s children and grandchildren recall cherished time with her, preparing and delivering meals to the field, husking corn, shelling peas, making sauerkraut and pickles, butchering chickens, hauling hogs to market, hanging clothes on the line and playing cards.
The past four years of Margie’s life were spent at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, where she was cared for with dignity and respect.
Margie will be remembered for her comfort and acceptance of others, her wit and humor, her steadfast faith in God, her life giving values, and her dedicated love shown to her family.
Margie is survived by her seven children: Bill (Sandy) Backowski of Little Falls, Jeanne (Ralph) Wilson of Princeton, Robert (MaryAnne) Backowski of Little Falls, Cindy (Robin) Hulst of Crookston, Wendy (Steve) Gessell of St. Cloud, Lynette (John) Gessell of Flensburg, Gary (Patty) Backowski of Flensburg, Margie’s beloved 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, Siblings: Wally (Marion) Pantzke of Little Falls, Donna (Hap) Johnson of Cushing, Yvonne (Lynn) Kalahar of Fort Ripley, and Sister in Law Norma Pantzke of Randall.
Margie is preceded in death by her husband Philip, her parents Edwin and Alice Pantzke and her brother Edwin “Sonny” Pantzke.