Margaret was born June 16, 1917 to Abraham J. Classen and Kathrina Brandt Classen in Jansen, Nebraska. Theirs was a farming family, growing up with a solid work ethic. In 1941 Margaret and her sister Tena moved with their parents to Luton, Iowa, where they attended a small Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, and baking and could easily have won an award for her twiebach and pie. Margaret worked in Sioux City, IA, for many years as a live-in practical nurse for newborns. While still in Luton, Tena died in 1962 of a stroke, and her father died in his home in 1964, at 85 years age. Margaret and her mother moved to Mountain Lake, MN. Her mother became a resident of Eventide Home where she passed away the following year at the age of 90. Margaret was united in marriage to Peter P. Klassen on October 8, 1966 in the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Mt. Lake, MN. Their work was their hobby, cutting trees, gardening, and tending the large yard where Pete had originally built a house. Margaret and Peter spent their winters in South Texas. Peter passed away on November 1, 1987 at the age of 98.5 years. In 1988 William P. Schroeder asked for Margaret’s hand in marriage, they were married January 7, 1989 at the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. They had a large yard to maintain, and tended a garden together for many years. Thirteen winters were spent in South Texas to soak in the warmth of the climate. When home responsibilities became overwhelming, Will and Margaret moved into the Parkwood Place apartments. They enjoyed playing Bingo, and visiting with other residents. In October 2012 Margaret suffered from Guillain Barre Syndrome to the point that she was unable to use her legs or care for herself, and in December she was moved to the Good Samaritan Village. After a brief move back to Parkwood Place to be with Will, they moved to Westside Sr. Living in Butterfield, MN.
Margaret passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the Windom Area Hospital at the age of 98 years.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husbands Peter P. Klassen and William P. Schroeder, parents Abraham and Katherine (Brandt) Classen, brothers and their spouses, Isaac and (Leone) Classen, Pete and (Tena) Classen, sisters, Lena at infancy, Maria at 19, Elizabeth and Ben (Kroeker) at 26, along with baby Linda who died at birth, Tena and Sarah Kroeker and her husband Henry, nieces Bonnie Classen, Alice (Dahlke) Kroeker and a great nephew, Mark Kroeker, step daughters and their spouses, Elivra (John) Janzen, Esther (Alf) Odden, and Gladys (Robert) Kampers.
Margaret is survived by her step daughters, Judy (Tracy) Fawbush, Janice (David) Klassen, 18 step grandchildren, and 12 step-great grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews.