Margaret J. Stender

Margaret Jean (née Fraser) Stender, age 94, of Crystal Falls, MI, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. Margaret or “Maggie” as affectionately known was born on November 3, 1926 in Detroit, MI to the late John Mathieson Fraser and Dorothy Christie Fraser. Maggie attended and graduated from Detroit High School. She then attended Albion College and earned her bachelor’s degree. She was a music major in choral music and an accomplished pianist. After meeting in college, Maggie married Alfred Adam “Al” Stender on June 27, 1948 in Detroit, MI. They moved to Crystal Falls to accept a teaching position at the Crystal Falls School. Al and Maggie both became teachers there and raised two children. The couple celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2014, before Al’s passing on December 2, 2014. She was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls, where she was a former organist, the American Legion Louis Bowman Post #87 Auxiliary, and the Scottish Heritage Society. Besides being the choral music teacher K-12, Margaret was a piano accompanist to various students applying for music scholarships. She was an excellent cook, baker, seamstress and homemaker and an avid reader. Margaret was also a cub scout leader, church organist and choir director for several churches, first the Methodist and later First Lutheran. Due to her upbringing in the Detroit area, she was a Detroit Lions, and Tigers fan. Upon moving to the U.P. she became an avid Green Bay Packer fan, and even enjoyed a home game at Lambeau Field. She especially enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren. Maggie is survived by her son, Thaddeus (Melissa) Stender of Crystal Falls, MI; daughter, Margaret Amy (Thomas) Labre of Spalding, MI; brother, William (Barbara) Fraser of Sewickley, PA; six grandchildren, Adam T. Stender of Iron River, MI, Mollie A. (Matt) Thiry of Suamico, WI, Maggie J. (Robert) Shepeard of Joplin, MO, Annalisa Sandborn of Hart, MI, Katie F. Van Effen of Sheboygan, WI , and Samantha J. Suomi of Republic, MI; ten grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren; seven nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. Her amazing smile and the twinkle in her eye made everyone feel wonderful. Margaret, Maggie, Mom, Grandma...will be dearly missed, with much love from her family. Private services were held. The family suggests memorial donations to the Alfred Stender Memorial Band Camp Scholarship, c/o: Forest Park Band Boosters at Forest Park Schools, 801 Forest Parkway, Crystal Falls, MI, 49920. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margaret J. Stender, please visit our flower store.