Margaret Joan Pagenkopf

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Margaret Joan Pagenkopf. While everyone called her Jo, Joan, Joannie, Auntie, Grandma Jo, and Mom a few knew her birth name was Margaret.

Jo took her first breath on January 23, 1932, and her final breath at her home on Reeds Lake, Elysian, MN on May 8, 2026. Her joyous 94 years were mostly lived in MN where friends were many and memories were treasured.

Jo was raised on the family farm near St. Clair, MN by her parents Oscar and Edna (Bollman) Froehlich. Her stories of those years were filled with memories of helping in the family chicken hatchery and being a turkey producer. She loved her large extended families that came along with family farm life. Her brother Dale was nine years her junior, followed nine years later by brother Daniel. She graduated from St. Clair High School where her infatuation with Lowell Pagenkopf first bloomed. After graduation she went to school in Minneapolis and two years later, she and Lowell were married. Lowell’s military service took them to live in Minneapolis and Cheyenne, Wy for a short time. This is when their only child, Rebecca Joan (Becky) was born. Eventually, the family settled back in St. Clair and were the proud proprietors of Peg's Grocery.

Jo thrived living in the small community and it provided her the opportunity to interact with so many friends in the community. She had a positive impact on numerous lives here. Many of her favorite relationships were with the children of the community, who came in the store to buy penny candy, and as they grew into teens some called her Mama Jo. For decades she played organ at St. John's Lutheran and was involved in Sunday School and choir. The late nights of practicing for Sunday church led to stories of the bats flying in the belfry and friends stopping in to sing a couple songs with Jo on the organ bench.

You might ask why then in 1996 did they decided to close their grocery store and leave their beloved St. Clair. Well, times were a-changin' and big-box grocery competition was fierce. It was time to go fishing! Their kids, Becky and Tom (Becky's husband, Tom was exceptionally close to Lowell) were building a new house and invited them to have their own in-law apartment. She absolutely loved the chance to decorate her new home and to have more time to cook and bake. By this time, her oldest grandson, Slade lived in Minneapolis. Her younger teenage grandson, Blake lived at home. She relished his daily inspection of her refrigerator, endless teasing and playing games.

It didn't take long and Bethlehem Lutheran in Elysian discovered there was a new organist in town. Jo thought she had retired from being an organist, but she found herself back at the organ bench for several more years. Being the people person she was, new friends were made quickly. Lowell died in 2005 leaving a huge hole in her heart. But in 2015 and 2017 two great grandchildren arrived for her to shower with her love. The great grandkids came to the house weekly for Fun Fridays until they started school, and after that on summer Fridays. Those visits became the highlight of her week.

Jo was always running late, hence her reputation for having a heavy foot when driving. She baked the best sugar cookies, most frequently for her son-in-law, Tom. Family graduations always meant Jo made mints for the party. Don't you dare skimp on butter, EVER! She loved taking a nap in a car with the sun shining in. Halloween of course meant dressing up no matter how old you are. She volunteered many hours at the Mankato MAYO hospital while Lowell had dialysis. She always wanted the best for everyone. She was young at heart and her life was a gift to us all.

Left to survive Jo are her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Tom Thompson, grandsons Slade and Blake (Laura) Thompson, great grandchildren Aubree and Bryce, brother Dan (Connie) Froehlich, beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and the many friends, all who showed her love and kindness.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Janesville Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Services and one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran, 200 Park Ave NW, Elysian, MN.  A luncheon will be held at the American Legion Post 311 in Elysian following the service. 

Interment will be at a later date at St. John's Cemetery, St. Clair, MN

Memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Elysian or the Salvation Army

Blessed be her memory.