Nancy Harriet Magnuson

On Nov. 28, 2019 at the age of 90, Nancy Harriet Magnuson passed away peacefully in Le Sueur, Minn. She left us to join her loving husband, parents, siblings, cousins and friends - all of whom are sure to be reveling in her warm smile and storytelling.

Nancys story started on April 29, 1929, in Duluth, Minn. What was supposed to be the birth of “a big boy” turned out to be twin girls. The twins arrival turned them into local celebrities.

Nancy would tell you she had an idyllic life and childhood. One spent at her fathers general store, on the family “farm”, in 4-H - all surrounded by cousins and friends. She most treasured moments at the familys lake where she created and shared countless traditions and memories with those she loved.

She was most proud of her education: a graduate of Hermantown High School (she was valedictorian) and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. School provided her with a wealth of experiences �" it quenched her thirst for knowledge, pushed her work ethic (so did Bridgemans Ice Cream shop), inspired her adoration for poetry and the performing arts, and nurtured her social calendar (i.e. if you could dance, you would be fast friends).

Nancy was a natural teacher and quiet leader. She taught in schools: was a Home Economist at Central High School in Duluth. And throughout the community: Sunday school (30+ three-year-olds), cooking classes for immigrants, regularly fed over 200+ people at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, was a Girl Scout troop leader, and so much more.

Her story started a new chapter on August 7, 1954, when she married Burton D. Magnuson. Together they poured everything into the family's business - Magnuson Lakeside Pharmacy - and built an amazing life with their four children: John (Peggy) Magnuson of Arden Hills, Ellen (Richard) Sletten of Hansville, WA., Ann (Greg) Traxler of Le Center and Jeanne (Theodore) Bredenkamp of Anoka.

Nancy enjoyed cooking for everyone, was a whiz with a sewing machine and enjoyed flexing some intellectual muscle with a rousing game of bridge, cribbage or an episode of JEOPARDY! She took every opportunity to dote upon her 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren �" including telling tall tales of “Little Orhpant Annie”, making their favorite foods (cooked-to-order breakfasts, banana bread, lefse, her beloved spaghetti sauce, etc.), sewing matching outfits or fulfilling birthday and Christmas wish lists.

To quote her favorite poet, Kahlil Gibran, is to sum up the simple yet grand way she lived her life: It is my fervent hope that my whole life on this earth will ever be tears and laughter. Tears that purify my heart and reveal to me the secret of life and its mystery. Laughter that brings me closer to my fellow men. Tears with which I join the broken-hearted. [And] laugher that symbolizes joy over my very existence. - - As we recount the endless stories of our dear mom, grandma and great-grandma �" its safe to say, she has left us with both.

A service will be held at Lakeside Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 13 at 11:00 am.