Margaret L Rilling

Margaret L. Rilling, age 86, died at her North Mankato home on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, with her daughter, Jeanne at her side.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Immanuel-St. Joseph Hospice or donors choice.

Margaret was born June 5, 1919 to Charles and Helen (Peterson) Lind in Mankato. She was united in marriage to James Rilling on November 11, 1938 in North Mankato.

Margaret was a life-long resident of North Mankato. She was very active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served many years on the Church Library Board. She also had served as a long time board member of the local Lutheran Brotherhood (Thrivent) Chapter and Mount Olivet Cemetery. She enjoyed sharing her Swedish heritage at the monthly Swedish Club meetings. She loved life and never gave up when faced with serious health challenges. More than once she amazed her doctors with her strength and faith. She was blessed to be surrounded by a loving and caring community of friends.

Survived by daughters, Jeanne (Jerry) Melvin of Maple Grove and Lynne (Paul) Billings of Edina; granddaughter, Leslie (Jon) Meyer of Prior Lake, Bradleys wife, Jennifer Billings of Richmond, VA; great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Jason Billings, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Grace Meyer and many niece, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Lind, husband, Jim, grandson, Bradley; sister, Ruth; brothers, Al, Jim, and Don.