Margaret Laverna Pautzke, 91, Minot and formerly of rural Souris died on Saturday, February 25, 2012 in a Minot hospital.

Margaret was born on June 28, 1920 in Bottineau, ND to Roy and Lydia Waters. She was raised and educated in the Carbury area and 9 miles southwest of Bottineau and graduated from Bottineau High School. As a young adult she was employed as a telephone operator in Bottineau for several years.

Margaret married William Pautzke on June 28, 1945 in Gardena. They made their home on his parents' farm 5 miles southwest of Souris. Eventually, they assumed control of the farm and raised their family there. They retired from farming in 1978 and moved to Minot. William died on May 15, 2003. Margaret had continued to reside in Minot, most recently at Somerset Court.

Margaret was a member of Zion Lutheran Church - Minot and a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Presbyterian Church both in Souris where she was active in the womens organizations. Also, she was a member of the Eidsvold Homemakers Club for 30 years and in her younger years was a 4-H leader and active in PTA. She especially enjoyed collecting thimbles and spending time with her five great grandsons.

Margaret's loving family includes her daughter: Deborah (Eric) Fiala of St. Francis, KS; son-in-law: Glenn Tennyson of Antler; grandchildren: Leonard (Deborah) Tennyson and Derek Tennyson both of Minot and Nathan and Cameron Fiala both of St. Francis KS; great grandsons: Jack, William, Sterling, Kasey and Jesse Tennyson; sister: Maralyn (Floyd) Braaten of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter: Janet Tennyson, sister: Mildred Shirley and brothers: Leland, Allen and William Waters.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church Minot.