Marge K o chlin, age 89, a lifelong resident of Jordan, MN, entered eternal peace on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at Auburn Manor, in Chaska, MN .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 28, at 12 (noon) , with a time of gathering starting at 10:30 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church , 313 Second Street SE, Jordan . Masks are required, and social distancing maintained. Guests are also welcome to join the mass by visiting the church’s website and clicking on the live stream tab. Father Neil Bakker will preside and urn bearers will be Marge’s granddaughters , Ashelyn Moriarty, Jenna Kes, Madi Kes, and Tara Garten . She will be laid to rest at St. John ’s Calvary Cemetery .
Nick and Christine (Wick) VonBank announced the birth of Marjorie Mae on August 5, 1931. She was the middle child of five and the sister to Clete, Mary, Jack , and Sue . Born and raised in J o rdan , Marge grew up learning the value of family and faith. S he atten ded St . John the Baptist Catholic School through the eighth grade and finished her education graduating from Jordan High School , in 1950.
Following her graduation, Marge went to work as a teller at Northwestern State Bank, in Jordan, now known as Frandsen Bank. Over the next 50 years, Marge became a vital employee to the bank and held many positions, but what she loved most, was being surrounded by her wonderful friends and serving the Jordan community. Even after retiring, Marge remained close to many of her colleagues , gathering several times a year.
Life was enriched for Marge , after a class play in her senior year. Curt Kochlin was encouraged by his buddies, to ask Marge out on a date . The love story began and after six years of dating, they exchanged wedding vows on January 28, 1956 , at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church . Marge and Curt were blessed with six children, Ricky, Steve , Kathy, Scott, Deb , and Julie. The Kochlin family was fo rtunate to travel in the motorhome, visiting sights across the United States and Canada. In the later years, Marge and Curt enjoyed traveling and spent 17 years wintering in Tucson , AZ where they met many life-long friends.
Marge was active in all aspects of her children’s lives and her front door was always open welcoming those who entered. She made sure everyone was well fed and offered either a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a cold beer along with great conversation and laughter. Marge loved entertaining and decorating her home, especially at Christmas. Her grandchildren were her pride and glory. She loved each one unconditional and they went to her for any life questions, especially as the grandchildren were growing up. When they spent time with Grandma , she would let them bend the rules a bit and defend it by saying its fine when “ Marge is in Charge . ”
Besides her family, Marge also devoted her life to the Jordan community. She was active in the Jordan Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary , was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, a member of St. John’s Church in the CCW and a lifelong member of St. John’s C hurch where she was involved with the annual Fall Festival. In her leisure time, Marge enjoyed playing cards with her card club of several decades, meeting friends for coffee, lunch or shopping and tending to her flowers. Her love over the past several years has been watching and supporting her grand children as they participated in activities and athletics. She quickly became their #1 fan and was very proud to talk about them to anyone she ran into. She also enjoyed cheering on the Woman’s Gophers Basketball, the Timberwolves and the Minnesota Twins .
Marge was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma. Her family and strong faith remained essential in her life . Marge was a loving, caring and warmhearted person who stayed positive in whatever life dealt her . She will be forever loved and missed by children, Steve (Cathy Moriarty) Kochlin, Kathy (special friend, Tom Redman) Skinner, Scott (Kelly) Kochlin, Deb (Lee) Kes, Julie (Jay) Garten; grandchildren, Dave (Sarah) Moriarty, Ashelyn Moriarty, Eric ( fiancé Jena Pace) Skinner, Cody Skinner, Nick (Tami) Kochlin, Nate Kochlin, Zach Kes, Jenna Ke s , Madi Kes, Tara ( f iancé Trever Precht) Garten, Russ Garten; great grandchildren, Mason Moriarty, Owen Kochlin; siblings, Clete VonBank, Jack VonBank, Sr. Sue VonBank SSND; other relatives and friends .
Greeting Marge home is her husband , Curt; son, Ricky; sister, Mary (Russ) Wood; sisters-in-law, Shirley VonBank and Jeannie VonBank , and her parents Nick and Christine VonBank.
