Margaret Louise Chesley

Margaret (Peggy) Chesley

Peggy Lemna Chesley, 87, passed away at The North Dakota Veterans home on Monday, September 23rd.

Peggy was born to Lawrence and Margaret (Linzbach) Lemna July 26th, 1932, in Lisbon, ND, the 6th of 15 children.  Growing up she first lived in Lisbon and went to school there until the 1st grade, her 2nd through 4th grade years she attended Buttzville school.  Her family later moved to rural Enderlin where she attended Moore Country School until 8th grade, she then attended Highschool in Enderlin and graduated in 1950.

She married Donald J Chesley on April 14th, 1951 in Enderlin, ND.  They began their married life in Lisbon, ND and later moved to Enderlin where they raised their 8 children. Don and Peg owned and operated 3 businesses in Enderlin of which Peggy did the bookkeeping.  Peggy spent a lot of time cooking and baking in her youth, which influenced what she did later in life.  She had different cooking jobs in Enderlin but the one she truly loved was cooking at the Enderlin School, where everyone remembered the smell of her homemade buns.  She then became an outreach worker for Ransom Sargeant Senior Services, where she assisted the elderly in many aspects of their lives.  She then retired in 1991 and enjoyed life at the lake with her children and many grandchildren.

Peggy was a lifetime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, served on the Altar Society and the Enderlin VFW Auxiliary. 

Peggy is survived by her husband of 68 years, Donald, and children Susan (Bruce) Harris, Joe (Cyndee), David (Jan), Judy (Tim), Paul (Ellie), Steve (Candace), Renee (Paul) and Jane (Gary) Johnson, 26 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great great grand daughter.  6 sisters, Helen, Doris, Joyce, Donna, Darlene and Carol. 3 sister-in-law’s including Mary, Phyllis, Kathy and Becky.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, 2 sisters, Betty and Joann and 6 brothers, Kenneth (Bud), Leo, Richard (Dick), Dennis, Dale and Robert (Bob) 

Peggy had a real zest for life, her children and grand children were her world, along with her many friends.  She will be greatly missed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Louise Chesley, please visit our floral store.