Margaret Kochmann

Margaret A. Kochmann, age 85, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away August 22, 2014, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home. Margaret Buschette was born March 8, 1929 to Peter and Gertrude (Urevig) Buschette on their farm west of town. She graduated as salutatorian of the Mahnomen High School class of 1947, and worked at the high school in the superintendent’s office for a year after graduation. As a high school senior, Margaret could not choose between two classes that met at the same hour, so she secretly enrolled in them both. She attended each class every other day until she was discovered by the school administration and required to choose, despite her assurances that she was perfectly capable of keeping up with the assignments for both classes! Though not afforded the opportunity to attend college, Margaret enjoyed reading the college textbooks her children brought home from school. On July 6, 1948, Margaret was united in marriage to Norbert Kochmann at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen. The couple made their home in Mahnomen where they raised their family and Norbert owned the Kochmann Standard Station. In addition to raising seven children, Margaret tended to the bookkeeping for Kochmann Standard, sang in the church choir, organized her high school class reunions, and played on a bowling team. She worked in the So and Sew Shoppe, cooked in the nursing home kitchen, and provided child care for the Amundson, Spilde, and Tomhave families. Margaret also served as president of the Ladies’ Aid and was a member of the Catholic Daughters. Margaret held a love for music, encouraging all of her children in music lessons and band activities and attending their musical performances. Margaret’s daughters remember their mother teaching them to sew and loving to work in her garden, canning fruits and vegetables. She was well-known for baking fabulous homemade buns, even giving them as gifts to her children’s friends, and for her husband’s favorite rhubarb dessert. Norbert would claim, “Marget, you could open a restaurant with this!” Margaret loved cooking for her family and she always included an extra place at the table when Norbert brought a customer home for dinner or her children invited friends and roommates to visit. Margaret held a genuine love for her family, always treasuring visits and family reunions. Her children value their mother’s deep and steadfast faith—a faith that she and Norbert exhibited in their daily lives. Surviving Margaret are her two sons: David (Debra) Kochmann, and James (Diane) Kochmann, both of Mahnomen; five daughters: Linda (Terry) Wilson of Columbia, TN, Carol (Stephen) Archer of Bloomington, MN, Diane (Pete) Luhman of Moorhead, MN, Marlys (Bobby) Hawthorne of Garland, TX, and Kathryn (Matt) Kurtz of Delano, MN; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister Jeanette Kahlbaugh of Mahnomen. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 59 years, Norbert; and her brother, Edward Buschette. Blessed be the memory of Margaret A. Kochmann. Visitation was held Wednesday, August 27th from 5 pm until 7 pm with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 pm all at the church. Funeral services were Thursday, August 28th at 11:00 am at the St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen. Interment was at St. Michael's Cemetery following the service.

Margaret Kochmann

March 8, 1929 - August 22, 2014