Margaret B. Newstrom

Margaret B. (Edmonds) Newstrom age 98 of rural Deerwood was called from this life in the early morning hours of May 9, 2014 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.

Margaret was born on November 10,1915 in Princeton, MN to James Hugh and Mildred (Heath) Edmonds, the oldest of four sisters. She married Walfred "Wally" Newstrom from the Mille Lacs Lake area in Cambridge on December 5, 1936.

She graduated from the Princeton High School class of 1933. She continued on to Normal Training to become a teacher. In 1966 she achieved a B.S. degree from University of Minnesota, Duluth and then received a minor in Special Education from the St. Cloud University. Margaret's 35-year teaching career began at Dalbo, MN teaching eight grades in a one-room school house at the age of 18. She later taught at schools in Stanchfield; Aitkin; Malmo; Isleta, TX; Clear Lake and Crosby- Ironton.

She was elected to the office of Aitkin County Superintendent of Schools in 1955 and served two 4-year teams administering 32 country schools up until they were consolidated with the city schools.

She served 10 years on the Crosby-Ironton School Board and as many years as supervisor for Deerwood Township, during which time she served as director of the Crow Wing County Township Officers Association, as Treasurer and Chairperson. She was a lifetime member of MEA-NEA and REAM, teachers associations.

Margaret is mourned in passing by daughter, Jane Nixon, Chokoloskee, FL and Janet Fultz of Deerwood; grandson, Mark (Donna) Yoder, Gainesville, FL, Brian James Stimac of Seattle, WA, Blaine Stimac of Brainerd, the Nixon, Yoder and Stimac steps, grands, greats and great-greats that comprised her family which she held so dear; many beloved nieces, nephews and families, and her sister close-in-heart, Jeanette (LeRoy) Haroldson of Brainerd.

Preceding her in death are parents; husband, Wally; sisters, Marjorie (Mrs. William) Hamann, formerly of Princeton, Helen (Mrs. Walter) Tansey formerly of Syracuse, NY; son-in-law, Dr. James Nixon formerly of Deerwood and Chokoloskee, FL and granddaughter, Tracey Yoder formerly of Aitkin.

Funeral services will 11 am on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. Burial will be at the Deerwood Scandia Cemetery following services. Visitation will be 1 hour prior the services at the funeral home on Friday. At the family's request no flowers, please.