A devoted resident of Shakopee, MN, Margaret Ann (Sarazin) Elftmann passed away peacefully in the presence of her family, at her home on the morning of Monday, May 2, 2016.
All of Margaret’s service will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. The family will greet family and friends on Friday, May 6, from 4-7 pm and on Saturday, May 7 one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service, at 11 am, led by Deacon Jim Pufahl. She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.
On January 5, 1939, teenage sisters, Lorraine and Catherine arrived home from school and found baby Margaret Ann… a secret their parents, John and Genevieve (Scharf) Sarazin had been keeping from them for months. Born and raised in Shakopee, the Sarazin family grew up on a farm currently where the car wash and the Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home is located. Margaret attended school through the eighth grade before returning home to help her parents on the farm. Later in years, the Sarazin family was honored to have a street in Shakopee named after them.
Through the years, Margaret ventured down many career paths. She waitressed at several restaurants, was a factory line inspector and worked at Mystic Lake Casino. But she took her caring and loving personality and assisted the elderly at Friendship Manor Nursing Home, drove school bus for the handicap and provided day care for children in the community and grandchildren. Margaret was most proud of dedicating her life to be a wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma.
Margaret married Glen Trebesch in the late 1950’s. From this union, she was blessed with five precious children, Deb, Ronnie, Scott, LeNita and Janelle. Unfortunately, Margaret and Glen parted ways. Her life was once again enriched with love meeting Dennis Elftmann. On August 24, 1985 in the flower gardens of Eagan, MN, Margaret and he were married. She opened up her arms to Dennis’ four wonderful children, Jan, Sandra, Daniel and David. Through the years, Margaret’s life was greatly blessed with 14 grandchildren and soon to be 11 great-grandchildren. The family will always be her greatest pride and passion.
In Margaret’s spare time, she enjoyed cranking up polka music, watching the polka program at noon and most of all polka dancing. An avid Minnesota Twins fan, Margaret also enjoyed, playing cards, sending greeting cards for every occasion, enjoying the activities at the cabin in Palisade, MN and traveling in the PT Cruiser. She was known for her delicious pumpkin bread, the countless hours on genealogy research and the love for her animals. Margaret will be best remembered as a major icon in the racing profession. For decades, she supported and participated in the racing business at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN. Margaret was a permanent fixture at the track and everyone loved her. In more recent years, Margaret finished the second volume of the race tracks history.
A faithful woman, Margaret had a great memory and knew everyone by name. She was a woman of forgiveness and always looked past your faults or disappointments. Margaret had a spirited personality of sassiness, awesomeness and a strong temperament.
Margaret’s legacy will live on in her beloved family that will truly miss her deeply, especially the children, Deb (Randy) Lowe, Ronnie (Jovi) Trebesch, Scott Trebesch, LeNita (Michael) Johnson, Janelle (Harm) Alken, Jan (Dave Lewis) Elftmann, Sandra Elftmann, Daniel (Chel) Elftmann, David (Greta) Elftmann; grandchildren, Olivia (Sam), Toni, Kristy (Dustin), Kasey (Lindsey), Marty, Alex, Nikki, Kevin (Lindsay), Justin (Hailey), Ashlee (Bryan), Lindsay, Travis, Jacob, Kaylyn; great-grandchildren, Maison, Madeline, Arista, Laney, Gage, Kenzington, Adriannah, Kali, Xander, Katalaya-Mae and a baby due in August; sisters, Lorraine Schleicher, Catherine Henry; dog Charlie; cat, Rascal; many loving relatives and devoted friends.
There to welcome Margaret home in heaven was her husband, Dennis “Bullet” and parents.
