Obituary: Margaret Bollingberg

Margaret M. Bollingberg, age 84, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, N.D.

Funeral Services were held Friday, September 4, 2020 at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford, ND. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Bremen, ND.

The service was officiated by Rev. Pauline Crowder, with special music by Eric Bollingberg, pianist and Nancy Bollingberg, Lynn Klindworth, Becky Anderson, trio. Casket bearers were Gage Bollingberg, Austin Bollingberg, John Bollingberg, Philip Bollingberg, Tate Bollingberg, Daniel Bollingberg, Zachary Bollingberg, Noah Wobbema, and Gabe Allmaras. Honorary bearers included Kari Durham, Signe Edison, Kaitlyn Wirtz, Abigail Bollingberg, Maggie Wobbema, Hannah Wobbema, Ella Allmaras, Addie Allmaras and Layne Allmaras.

Margaret was born May 3, 1936 at Badger, Minn., the daughter of Edwin and Clara (Larson) Wammer. She grew up at Badger and attended school there. After graduating from high school, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., graduating in 1958 with a degree in elementary education. Her first job was at Belmont Elementary School in Grand Forks. She married John Alan Bollingberg on October 8, 1959 at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Badger. They made their home in the Bremen area, moving to the family farm in 1964.

Margaret had a passion for faith, family, youth and education. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bremen where she was actively involved with the Sunday School and confirmation and created memorable Christmas programs. Margaret loved her family and especially enjoyed hosting family events. She created 'Kousin Kamp' for her grandchildren at the farm. She loved sharing family traditions (Norwegian and Swedish), especially at Christmas and Easter. She was famous for her lefse, flatbread, julekake, and sot suppe (sweet soup) as well as twists, caramel rolls, hot cross buns and bread. She nurtured and encouraged her children and grandchildren in 4-H activities and was a leader of the Bremen Friendly Neighbors 4-H Club. She also taught kindergarten in her home for a few years. Margaret was an extraordinary witness projecting Jesus' love and communicating this as she worked to inspire others to be their best.

Margaret is survived by her husband, John of Bremen, children, Kurt (Cheryl) of Cathay, Eric (Nancy) of Fessenden, Karl (Twila) of Grand Forks, Rolf (Faye) of Austin, Minn., Ann Marie (Jim) Wobbema of Barlow, and Kristen (Donny) Allmaras of Bremen., 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister and brother-in-law, Carol and John Sellie.