Margaret Ann Zellmer

She was born on Jan. 12, 1937 in St. Paul – the oldest of six children born to Anton and Frances (Miller) Basch. She grew up in White Bear Lake where she graduated from high school in 1955. She married Richard (Dick) Zellmer on Nov. 24, 1956 at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in White Bear Lake. After living for a short while in White Bear Lake, they moved into Dick’s family home on the East Side of St. Paul. There, they raised 7 children – Rose, Craig, Randy, Paul, Tony, Christine, and Rick.

The family loved to go on camping trips to northern Minnesota and Colorado. Fishing and snowmobiling were favorite pastimes. Margaret loved all types of music, dancing, and singing. That love of music continued during the past year she was in the nursing home. Any type of music activity saw her tapping her hands and feet to the beat.

For many years, Margaret worked as a cleaner at First National Bank in downtown St. Paul. After a back injury, Margaret started working in the retail clothing business, most notably for House of Large Sizes and Herberger’s. Margaret and Dick also opened their home to several foster children over the years.

Margaret loved to travel and took many trips with family and friends, including several trips to Switzerland to visit her cousin David, trips to Arizona to see her Mom, cruises with girlfriends after Dick died, bus trips to Green Bay with her friend Carol, a special trip to Hawaii with Chris and Brent, adventures in Indiana and North Dakota with her friend Fran Wojcik, and trips near and far with her life-long friend and co-conspirator Linda Natzel.

She was always up for “retail therapy,” but would only purchase items on sale. She liked shopping at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby for craft supplies to make scrapbooks of all her trips. She also made purse cards out of craft paper adorned with what she called tchotchkes. Monthly dinners with the Basch Ladies were an important way for her to stay connected to extended family members.

Her sense of adventure, optimism and humor – despite all her health challenges – was inspirational to all she encountered. The party got better when Margaret arrived. She loved a good story, a good escapade, and a good piece of chocolate – but most of all she loved her family and her friends.

Margaret is survived by her children and their spouses, Rose (Michael) Marsh, Randy (Jodi) Zellmer, Paul (Kristie) Zellmer, Christine (Brent) Michalski, Rick (Julie) Zellmer, and daughter-in-law Karla Zellmer. Her grandchildren Adam Marsh, Andrea (Nick) Friederichs, Jason Marsh, Matthew (Rachel) Zellmer, Meghan Zellmer, James (Kortney) Zellmer, Zach Zellmer, Tia (Brian) Giebel, Nick Januska, Sarah Zellmer, Thomas (Nicole) Zellmer, Rae (Mark) Hedlund, Luc Michalski, Logan (Chantel) Michalski, Maria (Chris) Cattron, Alex Michalski, Ricky (Brie) Zellmer, and Missy (Anthony) Zellmer. Greatgrandchildren (who called her GG) Kylie Kiritschenko, Aidan Kiritschenko, Kaitlyn (Michael) Friederichs, Nolan Friederichs, Raelyn Zellmer, Lainey Zellmer, Ellorie Zellmer, Everett Zellmer, Poppie Zellmer, Cal Giebel, Myles Giebel, Nolan Giebel, Blaire Giebel, Mack Hedlund, and Ricky Hedlund; and great-great granddaughter, Athena. She is also survived by her brother Ken (Dixie) Basch, sister Joanne (David) Kost, sisters-in-law Ila Basch and Jean Basch, as well as many special Basch and Zellmer nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick, children Tony and Craig, daughter-in-law Melinda Zellmer and siblings Judy, Ed, and John.

A Celebration of Life and a Service of Remembrance will take place on Monday, March 31 at Wulff Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Dr., Woodbury, MN 55125. Visitation begins at 10 am with a Funeral Service at 11 am. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at Green Mill Restaurant, 6025 Hudson Rd., Woodbury. Private Interment at a later date, Forest Lawn Cemetery, St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.