Margaret Helen (Zwack) Niesen

Margaret Helen Niesen, 82, formerly of Prior Lake and longtime resident of Swatara died Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  She was born January 10, 1939 in Hopkins to Jacob and Helen (Tobias) Zwack.  She graduated from Hopkins High School in 1957.  She worked for a bank in Hopkins and for Prior Lake Schools.  Margaret was united in marriage to Jacob Bernard Vernon Niesen on August 3, 1957 in Hopkins.  She joined the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1972 and was a Contract Procurement Specialist.  Margaret was the first female to attain the rank of Senior Master Sgt. (E-8) at the 133rd Airlift Wing.  She loved tending to her flowers, feeding and watching the birds, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.  She was a member of Valley Voices in Prior Lake, the Bridge Club in Prior Lake, the Quilting & Sewing Club in Hill City, the Hill City American Legion post #340, Aitkin County DFL, AFSCME Treasurer, and the Catholic Church. Margaret was Facebook/Instagram before they existed, she talked with anyone, was friends with everyone, and always knew what was going on in the family.  Her house was always open to anyone including many foreign exchange students, relatives from out of state, and any major family event.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jacob Niesen on August 5, 2021; Parents: Jacob and Helen (Tobias) Zwack; Brothers: Alan and Michael “Grump” Zwack; Sister Jackie Ann Zwack; Half-sibilings: Walter and Maurice Zwack, Lillian Hohlen, Alfreda Creelman, and Rosella Dingley.

Margaret is survived by her children: Robert (Corla) Niesen, Debra Niesen, Duane (Theresa) Niesen, Steven Niesen, Jacob (Jennifer) Niesen, Nathan (Alisa) Niesen; Grandchildren: Joshua Niesen, Katie (Drew) Beck, Andrew Pitt (friend Carly), Matthew (Denise) Niesen, Heather Niesen (friend Bill), Jeremy Niesen, Aaron Niesen (friend Alyssa) , Rebecca (Brian) Schnarr, Phillip Niesen, Benjamin Niesen, Rachel Niesen Emma Niesen, Jack Niesen; Great-grandchildren: Kevin, Kenzie, and Haley Jo Beck, Charles Schnarr; Brothers and sisters: Joseph Zwack (friend Virginia), Raymond (Nancy) Zwack, Rosemary (Joseph) Niesen, Arthur “Butch” (Marilyn) Zwack, Larry (Jean) Zwack, Barbara Little; And many other special relatives and friends.

Funeral Mass will be 10am – Friday, October 15, 2021 at Saint James Catholic Church in Aitkin.  Father David Forsman will officiate.  Visitation will be 5 to 7pm – Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial with Full Military Honors will be 2pm – Friday at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Little Falls.  In lieu of memorials, please consider putting up a bird house/feeder or even plant a flower in your yard in memory of Margaret.  To leave a message of condolence please go to www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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