Marjorie L. (Reineccius) Palmer

quietly passed away at the age of 77, in the early morning of December 19, 2018, after a six-plus year dance with Alzheimer’s disease. A lifelong Minnesotan, she had been living near her daughter Kari in Louisville, KY for the past three years.

Marge was born on February 11th, 1941, at her grandmother’s house in Cambridge, MN, and grew up on her family’s farm with her brother and two sisters near Walbo, MN. A smart child, she skipped a grade at her country school, despite a bout with Polio. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1958. In January 1959 she gave birth to a daughter whom, with regret, she placed for adoption.

Marge married Donald V. Kriesel in early 1961. They lived in Zimmerman, MN, where they raised three children Kevin, Kim, and Kari. Marge and Don divorced in late 1960s. Marge was briefly in a second marriage that challenged her in many ways. After that relationship ended, Marge moved her family to Elk River, and went back to school, obtaining a 2-year nursing degree and a job at Anoka State Hospital. She realized that nursing was her vocation and returned to school at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, completing the RN program and gaining employment at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. She was a respected part of the staff there for 22 years until her retirement. She loved music, old-time dancing, and Elvis. She played bass guitar and accordion in several local bands back in the day, lending vocal harmonies as needed. Marge also loved garage sales – hosting two per year for most of her adult life.

In 1992 Marge finally met the love of her life, Bill Palmer of Otsego, MN. They married on July 10, 1993, and lived in Elk River. Bill has been described as one of the best things that ever happened in her life. Together they went to numerous car shows and flea markets, and after they retired would winter in Arizona, where they were a part of the “Tonopah Gang.” Marge was proud of her children, and often traveled to visit them in the far off places life took them, including Mississippi, California, New York, and the Azore Islands (along with England and Hawaii). Marge loved to travel and went on numerous family camping trips in Northern Minnesota. In the late 1970’s she took her kids on two epic vacations, exploring the first the western half of the country, and then the eastern half. Marge helped out with VBS when her kids were younger, and was known as “Mom” by a large number of her children’s friends. She could be a tough person to live with at times, but in the end her toughness is what helped her succeed. She was a model of strength and determination, bolstered by more than 30 years of dedicated involvement in Al Anon.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Reineccius and Irene (From) Anderson; her brother Bill Reineccius, and sisters Ione Rose and Jean Thompson and their husbands Russ and Melvin; along with her former husband Don Kriesel, and her husband Bill Palmer and nieces Toni Bachman and Shari Germscheid. She is survived by her children: Kevin (Dorothy) Kriesel, Kim (Michael) Campagna, and Kari Altema, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, a great grandson, and her husband Bill’s children, LeAnn (Brian) Wulff, Mike and Lori, and their children and grandchildren. Marge loved her grands! And finally, to our sister Brenda Joy, wherever she is!

Visitation will be from 5:30 – 8:00pm on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main St, Elk River. Funeral services at 11am on Friday, Dec. 28th with visitation one hour prior, also at Dare’s. Marge will be interred at Long Lake Lutheran Cemetery following the funeral. Marge’s children thank the staff at The Altenheim, 936 Barret Ave, Louisville, KY 40204, and the folks from Hosparus Health of Louisville ([email protected]) for the care they provided their mother, and ask that memorials be directed to these organizations. Gifts may also be made to the Minnesota Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.