Margo Hoemberg

Margo E. (Martin) Hoemberg, 72, of Staples, died on May 24th, 2020 at Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples.

The family will hold a private ceremony and internment at a later date. A celebration of life event will also be held at a later date when the family feels it appropriate to do so.

Margo was born on October 20, 1947, in Bertha, MN to Ellsworth and Irene (Beaver) Martin. She graduated from Staples High School in 1965. Margo married Steven J. Hoemberg Sr. on December 21, 1977 in Motley, MN. From 1965 – 1975, she traveled frequently and worked as clerk in Washington, D.C., Bremerton, WA, Wayzata, MN, Spring Grove, MN, Charlottesville, VA, Philadelphia, PA, and as an operations control manager in Cincinnati, OH. It was in 1975 when she decided to move back to Staples; working various jobs as a bartender, store manager, and cashier up until spring of 1991, when an accident at work left her unable to work full-time. In the years to follow, she volunteered in the Centennial Auditorium Box Office, as well as doing contract work for the Staples World where she wrote her “Looking Back” column.

Throughout her life, Margo was always actively involved in her community. Prior to moving back to Staples, she most notably provided emergency foster child care (Willingboro, NJ), managed a children’s softball league (Cincinnati, OH), and was a member of the College Hill Tutorial Society (Cincinnati, OH), where she tutored 52 children. Once she moved back to Staples, Margo volunteered for MERTA (Minnesota Emergency Responders Training Academy), her sons’ school events, the Centennial Auditorium Box Office, as a costume designer for numerous high school and community theatre plays. She was a Member of the Staples Areas Woman’s Chorus, All Class School Reunion Committee and the Centennial Parade Committee, the Staples Chapter of the Red Hat Society (Scarlet O’Hatters of the North), CAPP Committee (Comprehensive Arts Planning Program), and a Board Member and Publicity Chair for Lamp Lighter Community Theatre, Staples. She also was the Chair and Founder of ISD #2170 Centennial Support Society of Staples.

Margo always had a passion for music and theatre; going to concerts and performances often. She wrote and directed plays, worked on costumes and set design, and even acted on occasion. She played the French horn for over 30 years along with other brass instruments and guitar. She loved history and people and was quite the conversationalist. She was a voracious reader and writer! In addition to writing for the Staples World, her love of writing carried over into countless poems, short stories, and even a novel (unpublished)! She enjoyed arts and crafts; from painting and lettering to miscellaneous crafting, costume design and construction, and quilting and sewing. She worked with children and students all of her life in various capacities; from tutoring (math and reading) and theatre, to scouting and community sports. But none her other passions compared to her love of family. She always made time for family; going to concerts and sporting events when her body permitted her to do so. She was always supportive of her children and grandchildren; telling anyone who would listen about their accomplishments and what was going on with their lives. To those who knew her, she was a mentor, a confidant, and she was always willing to do whatever she could to help others!

Margo loved clipper ships and the sea, and although her body fought her for most of her life, there is a quote by Aristotle that sums up how she lived her life. “We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.” She loved and was loved, and will be truly missed.

Margo is survived by her husband Steven J. Hoemberg Sr. of Staples, their two sons Steve Hoemberg Jr. (Wendy) of Staples, MN and John Hoemberg (Sarah) of Fargo, ND; her daughter Lara Phelps-Berg of La Crosse, WI; their grandchildren,  Molly and Meredith (Steve), Cooper and Grace (John), and Brian and Eric (Lara); their great grandchild, Penelope (Lara-Brian); their step grandchildren, Logan and Alijah (Wendy); their step great grandchild, Ronan (Wendy-Logan); her sisters Kitty Belle “Kitt” (Bob) Carroll and Marjean “Jeannie” Meyer;  her bother William “Bill” Martin; her brothers-in-law Chuck (Marian) Carroll, Ed (Marilyn “Mugs”) Mancuso. Doug (Robin) Hoemberg, John (Julie) Hoemberg, and George (Heidi) Hoemberg; her sister-in-law Ann (Donald) Hoemberg; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ellsworth and Irene Martin; her parents-in-law Clarence and Viola Hoemberg; her sisters Marian and Marilyn “Mugs;” brothers-in-law Donald (Ann) Hoemberg and Howard (Marjean) Meyer; nephew, Billy Ray Thompson, Jr. (Marian); and niece Lena Glorene Erbe (Marilyn).

In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the Colla Voce Girl’s Choir in loving memory of Margo Hoemberg.  Contributions may be made through the following link ( https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K9KXZCTUG6D64&source=url ) or by mailing your donation to PO Box 114, Staples MN, 56479.  Margo’s family kindly expresses their sincere appreciation for your support.

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