Obituary of Margaret Genora Skarsten

Margaret “Peggy” Genora (Mortenson Erickson) Skarsten

September 10th, 1928- March 10th, 2022

Peggy Skarsten died peacefully on Thursday March 10th, 2022 with family by her side at Meadowlane Restorative Care Center in Benson, MN at the age of 93 years 6 months. Peggy was born September 10th, 1928 in Cashel Township Swift County Benson, Minnesota. She was the third of four children born to Christian Miller and Josephine Gerna (Brenden) Mortenson. Peggy was baptized October 21th, 1928 and confirmed June 14th, 1942. She attended District 21 Country School and Benson High School class of ’46. On November 27th, 1948 Peggy was united in marriage to Lester Erwin Erickson. This marriage was blessed with 6 children and greater blessings of 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. This marriage ended then on June 20th, 1987 Peggy was united in marriage to Myron Orville Skarsten. Peggy is survived by four children and their spouses Charles “Chuck” (Mary) Erickson of Benson, Mn; Sherrie (Lawrence “Butch”) Thole of Ramsey, MN; Gerald “Jerry” (MarySue) Erickson of Buffalo, Mn; Kathie (Ritchie) Nelson of Webster, MN; son-in-law Mark Diehl of Redwood Falls, Mn; many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives as well as countless friends.

Peggy lived her entire life in the Benson community and was a sweet friend and neighbor to many. She was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. She cherished her big family and was very present in her children’s lives. She adored family reunions and holiday gatherings (many included lutefisk and lefse inspired by her Norwegian heritage). Her cooking and baking were done with recipes she collected and shared. She LOVED dancing, playing cards, bingo, rummage sales, travel, pool, 75+ years of Benson’s Kid Day parades, and bowling (she once picked up the 7-10 split!). She always enjoyed adventures with family and friends!

She may hold the record for the longest career in waitressing (she finally retired at age 84 from the Benson Golf Club!). She also worked at the VFW and Diner and had many additional jobs: waitressing, catering, house cleaning (for the elderly many who were younger than her), and babysitting. Peggy also enjoyed volunteering: meals on wheels, blood donations, nursing home, and many other activities which kept her very busy with her family and community.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Myron, daughter Connie (Erickson Thole) Diehl, son-in-law Mark Charles Thole, infant son Timothy, granddaughter Harley Nelson, parents; Christian and Josephine Mortenson, brother Lowell Mortenson, sisters; Winnie O’Leary and Barb Reil, and ex-husband Lester.

Thank you to the staff at Meadowlane for many years of compassionate care and Carris Health Rice Hospice who made Peggy’s last days on Earth divine (there is a special place in heaven for those who care for others!). Peggy will be remembered as a woman who loved to laugh, loved her family and friends, and had an adventurous zest for living her best life. Heaven got another good one! A Celebration of Life for Peggy will be held for family and friends on Friday, May 20th, 2022 at Swift Falls Cemetery in Swift Falls, MN at 1:30pm.