Marge Rodacker
Margaret T. “Marge” Rodacker, 92, of Mohall, N.D., died on Feb. 12, 2020, at the Good Samaritan home in Mohall.
She was born on May 21, 1927, to Ole and Marion (Buchanan) Loken in rural McKenzie County, where she was raised. Marge graduated from Watford City High School in 1944 and attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, N.D. She began her secretarial career at the Farm Security office in Stanley, N.D., and was transferred to the office in Fessenden, where she met her husband, James Rodacker. They married in February of 1947.
They farmed for several years in Wells County before moving to western North Dakota. Jim worked in the oil fields in the early 1950s, and in 1954, took a position with Great Plains Supply Lumber. This career move took them to Grenora, N.D., Columbus, N.D., and finally Mohall.
During those years, Marge worked as a waitress, a nurse’s aide, and one of North Dakota’s first Tupperware dealers. In Mohall, she was hired as secretary to the State’s Attorney, Erwin H. Brendel. She retired from that office in 1992 and ran a tax preparation service from her home until late 1996. She also served as attorney-in-fact and guardian ad litem for several people during her career.
Marge was active in the Mohall United Methodist Church and its Women’s Society for over 50 years. She was also a member of Naomi chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Mohall Homemakers, Sewing Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Bridge Club, and Friendly Neighbors Senior Citizens.
Marge and Jim enjoyed many camping and fishing trips, often accompanied by one or more of their sons and families. She also served as helpmate for many of Jim’s carpentry, painting, and gardening projects. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and card games of all kinds. Marge was accomplished at needlework, most enjoying crocheting. She made afghans for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and made others for sale at craft shows. Of all the crocheted items she made, she was best known for her “scrubbers” and dish cloths. She made and sold hundreds of them over the years, donating all proceeds to the Mohall United Methodist Women.
Margaret is survived by her children, Linda (David) Keup, of Mohall and Fargo, Jeffrey (Donna) Rodacker, of Garrison, Brian (Beth) Rodacker, of West Fargo, N.D., and Miles (Jane) Rodacker, of Grand Forks, N.D.; grandchildren, Sarah (Keup) Lee (Rob), Benjamin Keup, Christine Keup (Ravinda Samaraweera), Carla (David) Munkirs, Emily Rodacker (Mike Southern), Katie Rodacker-Bartch, Cory (Samantha) Rodacker, Mindy (Jay) O’Connor, and Curran (Martina) Gause; and great-grandchildren, Colin and Wolfgang Lee, Ryan and Logan Keup, Brynn and Neve Samaraweera, Bennett and Emma Munkirs, Jace Rodacker, Isabella Rodacker and Phoenix Bartch, Chassidy, Haiden, and Jakson Rodacker, and Kennedy and Kellen O’Connor; nephews, Greg Loken and Gary Zilik; and nieces, Gail (Zilik) Hancock and Jill Zilik.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, who died in 1989; her parents; and her siblings, Kenneth, Arne, Francis, and Ethel Loken and Isabel (Loken) Zilik.
Her funeral was held on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society, in Mohall.
Burial will take place at the Mohall Community Cemetery in the spring.
Memorials are preferred to the Mohall Ambulance Service or to the Good Samaritan Society, Mohall, where Marge received loving care for several years.
Friends may sign the guestbook at www.brosefuneralhome.com.