Margaret L. Asleson

 “The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth.” –Dorothy Frances Gurney 

Margaret Louise Asleson, 76, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023, surrounded in love in a moment of quiet holding her husband's hand while Christmas music played in the background. She was born on May 8, 1947, in Hallock, MN, to the late Nels and Louise (Glidden, Costin) Gravgaard.

Margaret graduated from Hallock High School and continued her education at Brainerd Technical College in Floral Design. Flowers became a vocation and an outlet for her creativity. Every occasion she hosted at her home included beautiful floral arrangements.

She married Donald Johnson in 1966 and together they raised two sons, Brent and Derrick. With each move they made, she ensured their homes in Hallock, MN, Sioux City, IA, Grand Forks, ND, and on Big Cormorant Lake were welcoming to family, friends and neighbors. Her woodland gardens at the lake were a special place where you were welcome to rest in the beauty of nature created by God. At Margaret’s house, you felt like a cherished guest.

In 2000, she married Dr. Bruce Asleson, and joyfully embraced his family. Margaret and Bruce spent winters in Mesa, AZ and together shared a love of travel. They visited many countries and continents together. Bruce crafted the itineraries and Margaret captured the beauty of the world with her camera. With her photographs, she created books, won competitions, and created her own greeting cards. Her M-Cards featured one of her photographs and, when received, were filled with her words of love.

Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She carried her faith with her on her journey through this life and into the next. She was ready to sit with those in pain or in joy, learn about whomever she met and remember their details, and she was ready to pray with or for someone if needed.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Louise Gravgaard; her parents-in-law, James and Leona Johnson, Ordell and Viola Asleson; her brothers, Ken Costin and wife Ruth, Calvin Costin; her sister, Barbara Swenson and husband Leroy; her brothers-in-law, Charles Homstad, Robert Johnson, Hugh Asleson and wife Mary, Olaf Haugo; her nephew, Scott Swenson.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Asleson; her children, Brent (Jamie Hahn) Johnson, Derrick (Tara) Johnson; her step-children, Rachel (Melissa Tomlinson) Asleson, John (Jill Steinhaus) Asleson, Aimee (Doug) Strand; her grandchildren, Jason, Lydia, Adam, Elijah, Andrew; her sisters, Marilyn (Greg Toutges) Gravgaard, Elizabeth Homstad; her sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Costin, Lois Johnson, Dianne Haugo, Lois Kent; her brothers-in-law, Paul (Elaine) Johnson, Mark (Sandy) Asleson; Donald (Penny Engstrom) Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Cormorant Lutheran Church, in Lake Park, MN. Memorials may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Cormorant Lutheran Church. Interment will be at the Columbarium at Cormorant Lutheran Church Cemetery.