Margaret Brelie

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Margaret Brelie, 93, of Two Harbors passed peacefully, Thursday, April 25, 2019, surrounded by her family.

The middle child of three daughters, Margaret was born February 1, 1926, to Joe and Bertha Warner in Mankato, Minnesota. The family settled in Renville, Minnesota, where Margaret worked hard alongside her dad on the family farm. Farm-life in the 1930s instilled a strong work ethic and formed the guiding principles that she upheld through her life.

After high school, Margaret joined the Cadet Nursing Corps where she earned her nursing degree. When she returned home, she and her friends spent countless hours at the Palms Ballroom where she met the great love of her life, Reuben Brelie. The pair was a sight to see on the dance floor! Reuben swept her off her dancing feet and to the altar. Margaret and Reuben were married October 24, 1949. In 1954, the couple settled in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where they raised five daughters and two sons. The brood is lovingly known as “The Magnificent Seven,” and they owe their magnificence to the stalwart leadership of their parents.

At the young age of 46, Margaret suffered a cerebral aneurysm, which has a devastatingly low chance of survival. Margaret’s strong spirit refused to leave her seven children without a mother. Margaret fought back, and with the help of her family and an indomitable will, she regained much of what she had lost. Against all odds, her family and friends were blessed with another 47 years with Margaret. Although the aneurysm put an end to her nursing career, she continued to be a caregiver to those in need for the remainder of her life. Margaret happily spent the last years of her life in the wonderful care of the staff at Barross Cottage.

Margaret is survived by her seven children, Shannon Holbeck (Kenneth), Clarion Gilbertson (Darrell), Kevin Brelie (Beverly), Christopher Brelie (Diane), Melanie Rothstein (Joseph), Denise Carrothers (William), Colleen Holbeck (Neal), brother-in-law, Jay Lester; sister-in-law, Lorraine Brelie; 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews, and close family friend, Diane Kucinski and Diane’s children who knew her as Grandma. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben, grandson, Jeremy Gilbertson, parents, Joe and Bertha, and sisters, Merle Samuelson and LouJean Lester. Margaret led a remarkable life and was a brilliant light and source of strength to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lake View Foundation or Holy Spirit Catholic Church for building renovations.

Visitation will be from 5 PM until the 7 PM prayer service on Friday, May 10, 2019 at Cavallin Funeral Home in Two Harbors. Visitation will continue from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday May 11th at Holy spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors.