Margaret Mary King

Margaret Mary King, age 99, of Austin, Minnesota passed away August 28, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare in Austin where she resided. Margaret Mary Kraus, the first child of Jacob Kraus and Martha Clara (Dorpinghaus) Kraus, was born November 20, 1924, on the family farm in Willey, Carroll County, Iowa. 

Margaret attended school at Willey and Varina, Iowa. When the family moved to Fonda, Iowa, she met Edward Lawrence King, Jr. They married at St. Columbkille’s Church in Varina on July 17, 1944. Four children were born in Iowa before they moved to Austin, Minnesota in 1954. Two additional children were born here in Austin. All six children attended the Catholic schools in Austin. Margaret worked as a cook/lunch lady at St. Augustine’s School from 1970-1995. Former students remember her fondly for the generous portions she dished out with a smile. Generous to a fault, she would even fix meals for the homeless and feed them on her back porch.

After Edward’s death, in 1989, her son, Jim, taught her to drive. A challenge for both!

Margaret was fun loving. She loved to go to the Chateau Raceway and watch the stock car races, but her night wasn't complete unless there was a good crash! She enjoyed chocolate and playing games with the kids and grandkids. Cards, Boggle, and Uno were favorites, and she especially enjoyed winning. She was either lucky or good because she won more often than not!

Her family was her heart. She loved the gatherings. At Christmas time, she brought her divinity and fudge. It was excellent. She enjoyed going to the Mower County Fair to hear the country stars in concert. She smiled from ear to ear when Trace Adkins called her “darlin.” But Vince Gill was her favorite.

Margaret is survived by five children: Rosemary (John) Boles, James (Vicky) King, Kathie Scruggs, Jan (Jon Babbin) King, Ed (Deb) King; 18 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; her son and daughter-in-law, Bob and JoAnne King; her brother Ed Kraus and wife Vivian; brother John Kraus; sister Lois Kraus King and brother-in-law Delbert King; son-in-law Arthur Scruggs; and great grandchild Jessica Wright. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Memorials are preferred to Pacelli Catholic Schools. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes.