Margaret Jane Hassel

Margaret Jane Hassel, age 101 of Mankato, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 at Waters Edge, in her room overlooking Glenwood Pond.

She was born December 21, 1918 in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota to Arthur and Elsie (Warthen) Yeager.

As a child, she grew up on her family’s farm where she spent her free time creating artwork, riding horses, and playing with the animals. She developed her sense of faith through the religious instruction she received at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Clarkfield, MN, where she was baptized as an infant. As a teenager, Margaret’s passion for cooking, baking and candy making began to blossom. After graduating from high school she attended Rasmussen Business School in St. Paul and landed her first job at a farm implement company.

Through the relationship of her best friend, she met her future husband. During courtship, the two enjoyed spending time with family, seeing movies, and going dancing. She married Walter C. Hassel September 25th, 1948. He was a carpenter and built their first home. They resided in Minneapolis where they raised their 4 children. She was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her family. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Richfield chapter #293 and the American Legion Auxiliary. Her adulthood interests included family activities, reading, nature, art, music, gardening, and movies. They retired in 1977 to their lake home, that her husband also built, on Baby Lake near Hackensack, MN. She continued to live there after her husband passed away in 1979.

Margaret made a fresh start in Mankato in 1989 after the arrival of her granddaughter who she notably said, “Kept her young.” She joined Messiah Lutheran Church where she remained their oldest member. Margaret will be remembered for her compassion, inner strength in the face of adversity and all the ways she loved her family.

Margaret is survived by her children; Martha Hassel, Mary Jane Hassel and Karl Hassel; beloved granddaughter, Anjali Hassel (Joshua Traczek) and many nieces and nephews. She will be happy to join her parents, husband Wally, son Brian, sister Kathleen, and brothers Karl and Robert in heaven.

A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, Mankato 11a.m. Wednesday, January 22nd to celebrate the life of Margaret Hassel. Visitation 10-11a.m. Reception to follow. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.