Marjorie Mae Stokke died on December 23, 2018 from kidney disease.
Marge was born March 18, 1934 to George and Hazel (Evans) Strombeck in Racine, WI. She was their only child. Her first paying job was making red bows at Christmas time for Miller Flowers.
Following high school, Marge decided to further her education in Menomonie at what was then known as The Stout Institute. Marge’s father received several degrees from Stout and the family had spent summers in Menomonie while he was attending school. Marge wished to follow George’s path and study Industrial Arts, architecture, and drafting rather than the more typical home economics classes for women of her generation. As a result, the college asked her father to travel to Menomonie, and George needed to petition the school for permission for Marge to study in the Industrial Arts program.
Toward the end of her time in college, Marge met Paul Stokke and they were married in 1955. They lived in Rice Lake for a short time before moving to River Falls. Marge liked to tell how Paul found a bowling team (Ginger’s Texaco) before he found a place for them to live. Upon buying their first home on 7th Street, they started a family and welcomed two children. Marge and Paul moved their family to a larger home on 4th Street, and in the early 1970s moved to their final home on 3rd Street. Marge would later observe that each move was only a block or two away but required the same amount of packing and planning as if they had moved hundreds of miles.
Marge held quite a few part time jobs in town, including working at Skogmo’s, Sears catalog store, Lund’s Hardware, and for several area auction services. She loved and appreciated “old things” and was very active in the Red Wing Collector’s Society and supported this area’s historical societies. Marge also enjoyed sewing and making quilts and belonged to several quilting groups. She sewed many of her children’s outfits when they were young, including very detailed Halloween costumes.
Along with Paul, Marge participated in activities for the St. Croix Valley Shriners, and would never miss the annual River Falls Fire Department events. Marge was quite interested in family history and did a lot of research into both sides of the family. She valued family photographs and kept her collection of photo albums very organized. She could be frugal yet practical, refinishing furniture and taking classes to learn how to reupholster pieces in her home.
Marge could get six cents out of a nickel.
Marge is preceded in death by her parents and husband Paul. She is survived by daughter, Susan (Jerry Hoch); son, Scott, all of River Falls; grandchildren, Meghan and Richard Stokke of Hudson; brother-in-law, Charles Stokke; niece, Dawn Ullrich; nephews, Michael and Steven Stokke; extended family members and many special friends.
A Memorial Gathering honoring Marge’s life will take place from 1:00 – 4:00 PM Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the River Falls Public Library, lower level.
The family would like to thank Kinnic Health and Rehab, Dr. Ben Morgan, and St. Croix Hospice. Memorials preferred to the River Falls Public Library or St. Croix Valley Shrine Club. www.oconnellfuneralservices.com 715-425-5644