Margaret Linser Valkevich memoriam

Margaret Linser Valkevich died of a heart attack very suddenly last spring. Her husband, Jim, was contacted recently by Kathy Sherry Skadsberg and asked to tell us about Margaret's life. We're grateful to Jim for the following vitae. Margaret was a very special person who left her mark in a very positive way. -- Trailboss Stan

Married in 1968
Margaret Linser Valkevich met her husband, Jim, while attending the University of Minnesota. They were married in 1968 as Jim was entering Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. Margaret finished her last year of college at the University of West Florida. Margaret's first child, Christine, was born in 1970, and her second child, Tony, was born in 1973. After leaving the Navy in 1972 they moved to Golden Valley, Minn. where they have lived ever since. Tony now lives in Richfield, and Christine lives in Plymouth, with her 4 1/2 year old son, Nicholas.
Margaret passed away very suddenly in March of 2004 of a heart attack.

Family first
Margaret was a very devoted mother, grandmother, wife and career person. Her family always came first. She loved her children, but when her grandson, Nicholas, entered her life, happiness was raised to a new level. Margaret loved golf and was always one of the best women golfers at Golden Valley Country Club, where they were members for over 25 years. She also loved the beach and fell in love with Siesta Key, Florida. Family vacations to Siesta Key became a family tradition, now passed onto Nicholas.

Troubled children and families
Margaret also had a very productive career. When her children were in school she started volunteer work for the Hennepin County Court Services primarily dealing with troubled children and families. Approximately 20 years ago she moved over to the Hennepin County Public Defenders Office and eventually became the Director of the Legal Service Advisors. She obtained and maintained her Minnesota Licensed Social Worker's accreditation. She was well respected by the Courts as well as the County Attourney's Office. Her reputation in the Public Defenders Office is best depicted by the fact that the Annual Hennepin County Public Defender Employee of the Year Award is now named in Margaret's memory.

Sadly missed
"Margaret lived every day with a passion for her family and her work. Yet, she also enjoyed life to its fullest with her many friends, golf, the beach, and her family. She is sadly missed by all who knew her, yet the good memories of a person living life to its fullest are plentiful," -- Jim Valkevich, devoted husband.