Marguerite Marie Sheehan

Marguerite Marie “Maude” (Von Arx) Sheehan went home to her Divine Savior on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the age of 101 years, 1 month and 14 days. She was met by her husband, Les Sheehan, and her daughters Judy Ann Sheehan and Pat Sheehan Fredrickson. Jim Sauer was at the Pearly Gates ready to give her a Welcome Home speech.

Marguerite was born on February 11, 1917 to WJ and Emma (Langen) Von Arx and lived her childhood years in Bush Valley outside of La Crescent. She was number 6 in a large family of 14 children.   Being the second oldest daughter, her teenage years were spent helping her mother manage the huge family. On weekends, Marguerite had to bake 5 and 6 pies and cakes so the kids had goodies for the lunch boxes. She attended St. Peter’s School and graduated in a class of 7 in 1935.

At a dance in Hokah, she met a fine Irishman, Les Sheehan. They married at St. Peter’s Church in Hokah on May 3, 1938. They farmed in Brownsville Township for a short time before buying Riverside Farm just north of Hokah. Living near the river was always a challenge.   In spite of the many floods, she and Les maintained a fine looking farm where Marguerite always had a gorgeous vegetable garden, besides raising several kinds of berries and beautiful flower gardens. As Marguerite was the first in the family to be married, many of her younger siblings spent many hours at the Sheehan Farm as they were courting their spouses.

In 1941 Les and Marguerite began their family of 5 children. Marguerite was always busy baking, preserving fruits and vegetables and especially sewing. She was an “expert” seamstress sewing outfits for herself and her daughters as well as others.

She was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Church and the Christian Mothers. She spent many hours devoting time to her church and helping at St. Peter’s School. Faith was a very important part of her life. Saying the daily family rosary and attending weekly devotions were of utter importance to her.

As the family grew up, there was always a ballgame, a card game, gathering bales, and other activities that drew cousins and kids from “uptown” to participate. There was always an extra spot at the kitchen table for anyone who wanted to stay for a meal.

Marguerite and Les moved to their retirement home on Fremont St. in Hokah in 1980. In her retirement years, Marguerite enjoyed road trips, cards with Seniors, along with her gardening and homemaking duties. She and Les especially enjoyed the many visits from the neighbor kids.   Maude volunteered countless hours at La Crescent Elementary School helping first graders with Reading and Math. She and Les also volunteered at SEMCAC where they took adults to their appointments.

Marguerite is survived by son, Howard (Bernita) Sheehan, daughter, Mary Kay Sheehan, son, Tom (Colleen) Sheehan, son-in-law Dave Fredrickson (Kim Jacob), sister, Dolores Benz, and sisters-in-law Rita Von Arx, Frannie Von Arx, and Teddy Von Arx. She is further survived by grandchildren Jennifer, Nancy, Kevin, Kelly, Kris, Tim, and great grandchildren Kendra, Evan, Abby, Katie, Ashley, Norah and many, many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband Les, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Judy and Pat. She was also preceded in death by brothers Alfred, Otto, Paul, Walter, George, Jacob, Joseph, Francis and William Von Arx, three sisters; Bernice Cavanaugh, Helen Hoskins, and Rita Hayes and several nephews and nieces.

Many thanks to her fabulous neighbors on Fremont Street and the caretakers she had while still living in her own home as well as the wonderful caregivers at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab.