11/06/2025
Margaret Jean Kinetz
Margaret Jean Kinetz, 82, passed peacefully on November 3rd in her home at Westwood Benedictine in Duluth, Minnesota. She was with her daughter Jennifer, son Brent, and many dear friends during her last days.
Born on June 16th, 1943, Margaret was the second daughter to Lila (Kaanta) and Hugo Nelson. She grew up in Woodland and graduated from Duluth East High School in 1961. She graduated from UMD in 1969 with a degree in elementary education. She taught in Proctor from 1969 through 1995.
Margaret drew great strength from her faith, which she nurtured as member of Lakeview Covenant Church. She loved the Bible, attending Church, and participating in Bible studies, where she made many good friends. She loved God and life!
Through the Arthritis Foundation, she was a co-leader of the Arthritis Support Group and a volunteer for Grief Support through St. Mary’s.
Margaret appreciated life. Even after eight decades, it was a regular happening where she would experience the “best-ever” of something. The best card game she’d ever had. The best tuna sandwich she’d ever tasted. The best book she’d ever read. Her unwavering ability to find the bright side of things was infectious and a blessing to all.
She loved being a mother to her three kids, and becoming Grandma, and Grandma Mormor, to her grandchildren. Especially precious was playing 3-13 and cribbage and all the closeness and conversations that happened during those games. She loved visits from family and friends, traveling, skiing, writing, learning, and reading. She also remained engaged with politics on all levels and cared deeply for the world and her community, always praying for the best.
Other highlights included teaching elementary students, especially helping them learn to read; working as a ski bum at Sun Valley with Susie in 1962; traveling to Europe with three girlfriends in 1964; going to the summer and winter Olympics in 2000 and 2004 with Jennifer and Brent; visiting Italy with Susie and Mary in 2008; celebrating 70 in Tuscany in 2013; trips to Sweden to visit family with her cousin Judy; and many other trips near and far with family and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, sister Joni, and son Ross, Margaret is survived by her daughter Jennifer Kinetz, and grandchildren Lila and William Mueffelmann, Telluride, CO; son Brent (Lotta) Kinetz, and grandchildren Bo and Hugo Kinetz, Stockholm, Sweden; brother-in-law David Clauson, Hermantown, MN; niece Amy (Lauren) Rood, Eden Prairie, MN; nephew Jon (Lindsay) Clauson, Hermantown, MN; special great nieces Cassidy Rood, Brynn and Britta Clauson, and special great nephew Jace Clauson. She is also survived by lifelong friends Susie Johnson, Duluth, MN, and Mary Donaldson-Evans, Lancaster, PA; as well as Cousin Judy Conat, Superior, WI and many other special friends and relatives here and in Sweden.
Though she would never let them define her, Margaret faced many challenges in life, and her family is sincerely grateful to all those who helped her through them. Most recently she was blessed by the caring team at Westwood Benedictine and the amazing grace of those from Gentiva hospice.
A funeral service will take place at Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Road in Duluth on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, with a visitation at 10am and funeral at 11am. At the luncheon that follows, all are invited to share a memory of Margaret. She will be buried with her parents and son Ross at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider a donation to the Arthritis Foundation. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.
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