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- [S927] Obituary.
From: "Henry L. Schmick"
Subject: [GER-VOLGA] Obit, Margaret Cecelia (Zent) Schwindt
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:17:59 -0600
Billings Gazette
Billings, MT
12 Sep 2006
SPOKANE, Wash. - Margaret Cecelia (Zent) Schwindt, at the youthful age of 81, passed away peacefully after a long illness, on Sept. 9, 2006, in Spokane, in the presence of her beloved daughter, Kathy Zent Kelly and adoring son-in-law, Larry Kelly. Arriving shortly after her passing were her wonderful sons, Michael C. Zent and Rickey Lee Zent, and their loving wives, Pamela Zent and Chong Ae Zent. The children joined together to say goodbye and send prayers as she swiftly arrived at heaven's gate to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Margaret was born in Ryegate, Mont., on Nov. 30, 1924, to her amazing parents, Harry Schaff and Catherine Sticka Schaff. Preceding Margaret in death were her parents Harry and Catherine; husbands, Michael A. Zent and Rasmus Schwindt; five sisters, Mary, Cecelia, Elizabeth, Rose and Rosie; seven brothers, Jacob, Harry, Vincent, John, Frank, Joe and Victor. Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Frank Schwindt, and her three exceptional children, Kathy, Mike and Rickey. Margaret was blessed to have eight incredible grandchildren: Colleen Howell, Gregory Kelly, Larry Kelly Jr., Shannon Danks, Tara Dimico, Jeff Zent, George Zent and Jimmy Zent; 13 darling great-grandchildren: Henry Howell, Katherine Howell Blaine, Michael Howell, Kayletta Olbricht, Emmaletta Kelly and Toshiko Kelly, Steven Kelly, Anngelica, Devan and Geno Dimico, Trent and Camille Zent, and Naomi Zent; one beautiful great-great-granddaughter, Tiffanielizabeth Olbricht-Howell. Margaret's one very special surviving sister, Celestine "Sally" Fredenburg, lives in Billings. There are also numerous nieces and nephews who enriched Margaret's long life.
Margaret was married in Laurel, Mont., to Mike Zent in 1941. Their union produced Kathy and Mike. After owning a successful restaurant in Laurel, their family moved to Spokane in 1956. It wasn't long before Margaret discovered another gift from God. She became a foster mother and was soon surrounded by many babies, children and unwed mothers. In 1959, she was named Foster Mother of the Year by the state of Washington, having fostered 137 children and young mothers. With so much love in her heart, it wasn't long before her heart was captured by little Rickie Lee, whom she and Mike adopted when he was 2 years old. She nurtured tiny 10-day-old Bernadine Wells until Bernadine was married 22 years later. Six-year-old Agnes Breen Wagner and her sister Kathleen joined the Zent family in 1959. Agnes went on to graduate from high school and get married during her life in the wonderful Zent home.
Margaret and Mike loved to dance the German Polka and you could find them many a Saturday night at the German Hall or the Eagles, floating around the dance floor like the two angels they were. No one was lighter on their feet than the two of them. It was always a treat when they would invite their children to join them dancing. Margaret was always busy. You could always find her out in her huge garden, tending to the weeds and vegetables, or in the kitchen, canning hundreds of jars of fruit, vegetables and meat. She excelled in baking goodies. It was always a treat to walk into the kitchen and smell the bread or cinnamon rolls baking. One of the more memorable memories the grandkids have is Grandma's Bing cherries. Oh, how they loved to eat them and spit out the pits (to Grandma's great dismay) everywhere! And then there were the many animals, pets and birds that she raised on her little patch of ground.
Margaret was an accomplished seamstress. She ran a successful drapery business; sewing for the lucky patrons who honored her with their business. Margaret loved to sew clothes for herself and her children. She, along with (very little help) from Kathy, sewed an incredibly beautiful wedding dress for her granddaughter Tara. Always one to keep her fingers busy, she loved to crochet. She also found a joy in reading many books. Only until just a few months before her death, you could find her fingers clicking away with a new project or her nose in a fascinating book.
Margaret, mom, wife, sister, grandma, aunt and friend, you will be missed by us all. You showed the world how to live and how to die. All who have been blessed by knowing you are greater for it. Your footsteps to the Throne of Grace are etched in gold. Lest we forget, we only need follow them to become the kind of person you became. God Bless and see you later!
Visitation will begin Tuesday, Sept. 12, from noon to 5 p.m., and will continue on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division, Spokane. Vigil services will be Wednesday, at 7 p.m., also at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. and will be celebrated at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 3423 E. Carlisle, Spokane, with committal to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St.
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1924 - 
, d. 23 Apr 1990, Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA