Margaret Ternes

A Funeral Mass for Margaret Ternes, 86, of Dickinson, will be at 10:00 a. m. , Monday, June 6, 2016 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Father Gary Ternes celebrating. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation for Marge will be from 2:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. , Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary & vigil service being held at 4:00 p. m. Marge passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson. Margaret Wagner, known all her life as Marge, was born January 11, 1930 in Strasburg, ND to John and Katherine (Dietz) Wagner. During her high school years Marge started working in a local Strasburg grocery store owned by the Ternes family. Also working there was their son, Anton (Tony). Soon her parents bought a meat market across the street and she had to quit her grocery store job to help with the family business. Marge and Tony were married in Strasburg on September 11, 1950 and moved to Britton, SD where Tony worked in an auto and farm implement dealership and Marge started working at the local hospital and clinic. She was trained by the physicians at the clinic to perform the duties of a lab technician and worked in that capacity for 15 years. In the late 50s they purchased a tavern and she helped with that business until 1965 when they opened a Skogmo clothing store. At that time she quit her clinic job and worked full time in the store. In 1972 Marge’s brother, Joe, invited them to Dickinson to open a liquor store connected to Joe’s Fairway Foods. This store was known as Town & Country Liquor. She became the sole owner when Tony died in 1987 and stayed active in the store long after her “retirement”. Marge was known for her love of cooking and her excellent culinary skills. A meal at her house was always a generous, hospitable and tasty affair. She created a food culture in the family which spawned a love of cooking and cuisine in her children and grandchildren. All the family memories are tied to her table. She could cook up all the German Russian favorites but was unafraid to explore and learn fresh tastes and creative recipes. Marge also loved to travel. She was always ready to pack up and leave to explore new territories, new adventures and new cuisines. During her retirement years she played lots of cards with a faithful group of friends. Creating lasting relationships was a constant element throughout her life. Their marriage brought them three children: Gary (Sioux Falls), Patricia (Brad) Pender (Dickinson) and Tim (St. Cloud); three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Marge is survived by her three children; her brother, Joe Wagner (Dickinson); and her sister, Lydia Roth (Strasburg). Preceding her in death is her husband, Tony; her parents; her sister, Florence; her brother, Albert; and her great granddaughter, Mara Crespo.


Burial Date: June 6, 2016

Funeral Mass: Monday: Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND