Margaret B. Chelstrom was born September 7, 1910, in Borup, MN to Ole and Anne (Syverson) Benthagen. She received her education at Moorhead, MN High School, graduating in the class of 1929, and Interstate Business College, Fargo, ND.

On October 26, 1933, Margaret was united in marriage to Arthur Jennings Chelstrom on the home farm near Borup. They have lived in Park Rapids, St. Paul, and Moorhead since that time and raised their family of two children. They were charter members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Moorhead. For many years, Margaret was employed by Herbst, Bergstrom & Crowe as a custom seamstress in their drapery departments. Margaret retired in 1975 from the stores, but continued to provide her sewing skill to many people and organizations.

Besides raising their family, Margaret lived an active life by being a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Eagles' club drum & bugle corps, the Elks Lodge, and the Sons of Norway. She volunteered at St. Ansgar Hospital gift shop and helped to found the Moorhead Thrift Shop. Throughout her life, Margaret loved to play cards and Bingo, even into her advanced years while a resident of Heritage Villa in Moorhead. Mr. Chelstrom died in 2000. Even after Arthur's death, her zest for life served as an example to all who knew her.

Margaret died in Heritage Villa on Thursday evening, November 2, 2006, at the age of 96 years.

She is survived by a son and daughter, John (Shirley) Chelstrom of Bella Vista, AR, and M. Gail (Herman) Holland of Moorhead; five grandchildren, Karen Conner Brache', Arlen (Kim) Chelstrom, Marc (LaDonna Korstad) Holland, John (Dawn Koranda) Holland, and Greg (Kathy) Holland; five great-grandchildren, Zachary (Mindy) Conner, Jesse (Tammy) Chelstrom, Krysta (Chad) Austin, and Britta and Claire Holland; 1 great- great-grandchild, Megan Conner, and many nieces and nephews.

Being the second youngest of 11 children, Margaret was preceded in death by 5 sisters and 5 brothers, and a great-great-grandson, Austin Chelstrom.

INTERMENT: Moorhead Memorial Gardens, Moorhead.