Margaret A. Hedlund

Margaret “Marge” A. Hedlund, age 71, of Garfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Hans Dahl officiating. Music is provided by Nolan Weisz. Interment will take place at Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, December 3rd, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Margaret Ann Riley was born on February 2, 1953, to George and Bernice (Bresson) Riley in Morris, Minnesota. She was the second youngest of eight children and grew up on the family farm. Margaret was baptized and confirmed at the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. She attended country school through sixth grade, continued her education in Morris Schools, and graduated from Alberta High School in 1971. Marge furthered her education at Ridgewater Community College in Willmar, earning her associate’s degree and obtaining her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license. She was recruited to work at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where she laid the foundation for a successful nursing career. Shortly after, she married and started her family, raising three children: Larry, Tom, and Ann. Her nursing career took her across Minnesota, serving the communities of Glenwood, Little Falls, and Redwood Falls, before she settled in Alexandria. There, she dedicated over 35 years to the Douglas County Hospital, retiring in 2012. On September 29, 1991, Margaret married Robert Hedlund at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. The couple shared a joyful partnership, prioritizing each other and finding fun wherever they could. They traveled extensively, enjoying bus trips, cruises, casino outings, and shows in Branson, Missouri. Margaret narrowly missed visiting all 50 states, with her final tally reaching 44. She developed a passion for fishing alongside Robert—initially reluctant but eventually understanding the lure and becoming hooked for life. Margaret was known for her talent in cooking and baking, especially her apple crisp, sticky popcorn, and “Marge Bars,” which were staples at family gatherings. She was deeply dedicated to her faith and family, caring for her aging parents and tending to their needs. She enjoyed tending to her flower garden in the summertime and was an avid bird watcher year-round. Margaret’s strength, warmth, and caring nature will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents. 

Marge is survived by her husband of 33 years, Robert Hedlund; children, Tom Dahms of Louisianna, Larry (Norma) Dahms of Mankato, Ann (Vern) Dahms of Wadena, Justin (Sara Martin) Meyer of Glenwood, and Elisa (Steven) Carstens of Chanhassen; grandchildren, Abigail, Carson, Callie, Devyn, Alex, and Carter; great-grandson, Kyson; brothers, Mike (Cinda) Riley, Gary (Kim) Riley, and Dick Riley; sisters, Connie (Dave) Kovash, Mary (Dick) Staples, Helen (Al) Liebersbach, and Colleen (Steve) Sunder; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Serving as casket bearers will be Alex Carstens, Carson Meyer, Carter Carstens, Ann Dahms, Elisa Carstens, Larry Dahms, and Tom Dahms.

Honorary bearers will be Justin Meyer, Abigail Schmitz, and Devyn McNamara.