Marguerite Elizabeth (Onate) Bartusiak

Margeurite Elizabeth Onate Bartusiak, 82, of Emily, MN and Pharr, TX, was reunited in heaven with her husband Bernie and her daughter, Donna, on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 surrounded by her family while at home at Ruth Lake in Emily, MN. Marge was born in Chicago, IL on January 4th, 1938 to Rose and Jesus Onate.  

Marge grew up in Chicago.  As a teenager she served as president in a club called “The Robins” through the American legion.  She attended Westcott Vocational High School in Chicago where she focused on being an accountant and secretary.  Her first job was at Goldblatts working in sales.  Then she worked at Phoenix of London, an insurance agency.  She spent 5 years working at Mini Hut, a hot dog stand, before settling on her career as a dog groomer.  She spent 45 years professionally grooming dogs as well as teaching others the trade.  In 1989 she and her husband Bernie bought the Town Tavern in Ironton, MN and owned it for 5 years. 

She met the love of her life, Bernie Bartusiak in 1953. They were united in marriage in Chicago, IL at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church.  They made their home in Chicago and had 4 children together.  In 1970 they bought their lake property on Ruth Lake in Emily, MN.  They spent every Summer together at the lake and had many family and friends who would visit through the years.  In 1989 they moved to Emily full time.  In 2005 they decided to become snow birds and bought their home in Pharr, TX.  They loved spending time in their community with their many friends and being able to enjoy the Texas weather while still being able to come back to Emily in the Summer months.  Bernie and Marge celebrated 63 years of marriage before Bernie went home to be with the Lord in August, 2019. 

Marge loved going to Bingo, playing cards, going to garage sales, and spending time with her family.  She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.  She expressed genuine happiness and contentment in every day life often humming softly to herself and sharing her beautiful smile with anyone who walked through her door. 

Marge is survived by her three children, Elizabeth (Lenny) Deshayes of Cushing, MN, Joseph (Bernadette) Bartusiak of Dayton, MN and Cathleen (Ross Gano) Donkers of Wamego, KS; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and her sisters Aliene Mannion and Millie Laskey.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Bartusiak; parents, Rose and Jesus Onate; daughter, Donna Bartusiak; grandson Jacques Deshayes; brother Kenny Onate; and sister Alice Rose Twitty.

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19th, 2020 at St. Emily’s Catholic Church in Emily. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  One of Marge’s requests was that her family and friends gather for a pizza party to celebrate her life after she passed away.  Her request will be honored and a pizza party is planned immediately following the mass at Cornerstone Christian Church 41563 Birchwood Dr in Emily.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.