Margeen L. Mau

Margeen Lynn Mau passed into our Lord’s eternal care on October 11, 2023. Margeen was born on December 17, 1946 in Decorah, Iowa to Hubert and Angela (Stortz) Bolson.  Margeen graduated from Decorah High School in 1965.  During her growing up years she enjoyed a very close relationship with friends in church and school that became known as the “Jello Girls”.  Their friendship flourished with many mini-reunions at Nordic Fest and other times of the year.

Margeen attended Luther College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1969 and then married her college sweetheart, Stephen Mau, on May 31, 1969. Following graduation, Margeen and Steve lived in Caledonia, MN; Rock Island, Illinois; Tipton, IA; and lastly La Crescent, MN.

Margeen taught at St. Peter’s Hokah, MN; St. James in La Crosse, WI and Crucifixion in La Crescent, MN.  She never taught for money, but for the joy and satisfaction that it brought to her.  She always joked about being the “Lutheran” in the Catholic Schools.

Margeen became involved with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church as a Sunday School Superintendent, helped with Summer Church School and served on the church council.

Her greatest pride was the Community Food Shelf that she directed from 1995 until 2011.  During that time the number of families served more than doubled and she involved people throughout the community in the collection and distribution of food.

For her untiring work with the food shelf and various other volunteer efforts she was named Woman of the Year in 2001 by the La Crescent Applefest. Steve was able to bestow upon her one of the highest honors in Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow in 2011.

In her later years she lived and enjoyed life even though Alzheimer’s continued to affect her memory and cognitive abilities.  She fought it with grace and courage until the end.

Margeen was preceded in death by her parents and a stepfather, Paul Braham.

Margeen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Steve; and her children, Michelle (Ryan) Rasmussen of Goldsboro, NC and her son, Erik (Mandy) Mau of Victoria, MN.  Seven grandchildren, Joe Rasmussen, Lynn Rasmussen, Nathan Rasmussen, Elissa Rasmussen of Goldsboro, NC, Eli Mau, Saylor Mau, and Leyton Mau of Victoria, MN. Siblings, Steven (Ann) Bolson of Evergreen, CO, and Robert (Nancy) Bolson of Decorah, IA.  Step Sisters, Kris (Ray) Nordstrom of Colorado Springs, CO, Ruth Braham/Jim Fitzpatrick of Wellsboro, PA, and Jan (Paul) Cottrell of Arlington Heights, IL.

Margeen was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, who served and loved her family, friends, church and community that she lived in for 45 years.

The family would like to thank the Mayo Hospice program and the employees of SpringBrook Village, La Crescent for their care and concern during these last few weeks.

A visitation will be from 4 to 7 on Thursday, October 19th at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crescent. Services will be held at Prince of Peace Church, La Crescent, MN on Friday, October 20 with a visitation time at 10 AM until the service at 11. A celebration of life will be at the church following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association; the La Crescent Food Shelf; or the Pastor’s Emergency Fund at Prince of Peace Church, La Crescent.