Margaret V. Moeller, 98 ½ of Valparaiso, finally died on Sunday, November 10, 2024, after having warned us of her imminent mortality for the past six decades. Born May 2, 1926, in Watertown, Wisconsin to Paul & Vashti (French) Kasten, her fond memories of growing up during the depression amongst siblings and cousins were shared liberally with her successive generations. Her failure to graduate from high school due to health issues remained a closely guarded secret until recent years when she began to reflect on the success of her life’s accomplishments and figured that wasn’t too bad for someone without a diploma. Many locals will remember her for her counted cross stitch handwork, hickory nuts, hand painted porcelain, peanut brittle, polka dancing, and exuberant conversation. Her family will remember her for providing a safe and loving home with home cooked meals, homemade jellies, breads, cookies, fresh picked berries of every sort, quilts, dachshunds, and constant prayers for our safety, success and good judgement.
Her marriage to George Moeller on June 1, 1951, meant that she was going to be a funeral director’s wife, a career of its own at that time. Although this was not her path of choice, she embraced the role and mastered the required duties, especially the bookkeeping. Their business success became a source of pride for her, often recounting their meager beginnings and the “grace of God”. The phrase “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” was much more than a plaque on the wall, it was a serious family mantra, along with the diametrically opposed sayings: “time changes everything” and “some things never change”. Margaret was able to laugh at herself about such things, and the small failures that go along with a “can do” spirit that was shared by all of the Kasten girls. Hosting multiple foreign students over the years expanded her horizons and enlightened her worldview. Her exposure to various schools of religious thought seemed only to strengthen her Christian beliefs while making her less judgmental of opposing views. It also gave her an excuse to expand her collection of maps which were always close at hand to check proximity to the most recent world event. For someone forced to give up on formal education at an early age, she never quit learning. And by extension, she never quit teaching, always wanting to share her latest gem of knowledge or recipe secret. Luckily, she learned very early in life that she was unable to lie or keep a secret, so she never tried. Despite this squeaky-clean image, she enjoyed mildly off-color jokes to the point of having collected a small trove of them in written format kept sorted in a file cabinet, of which her son-in-law recently became the recipient. Legacy seemed to become more important to her as the great-grandchildren multiplied. She made sure that each one of them, along with every other family member, had one of her hand cross stitched Christmas stockings with their name at the top to serve as a gentle reminder of their heritage. Neither our family nor Oak Street will be the same without her.
Survivors include children: Kathryn Parsley (Bill) of Havana, IL, Ruth Bury (Ed) of Bloomington, IL, Martin Moeller (Janice) of Valparaiso, German son, Ulrich Schnaut (Wangshu) of Bad Salzschlirf, Deutschland, Persian son, Dariush Keyani (Roxanna) of San Jose, CA; sister, Mary-Anne Sanders of Pana, IL; grandchildren: Kelly LeMay (Dave Meyer), Sonya Snyder, Wade Parsley (Erin), Amos McLaughlin (Renee), Lana Duran, Jackie Moeller, Jamie Moeller (Harley Herman), Melissa Moeller, & Saphira Schnaut; great-grandchildren: Vincent & Christian LeMay, Finn, Ty, Grant & Lincoln Snyder, Claire & Dane Parsley, Aiden, Justus, Lincoln & Adelle McLaughlin, Judah Duran & Jasmine Rusk. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, in 2019 and siblings: Richard Kasten, Mildred Kasten, Rachel Amling & Caroline Kallas.
A visitation will be held Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso. The funeral service will begin on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Meals-on-Wheels program. Click here to watch the recorded funeral service and video tribute.
GUESTBOOK
Every time I look at my Hickory tree I will think of her. She always made me feel comfortable and I always had great conversations with her. She was a genuine person and a real sweetheart. Praying you find comfort and peace in the beautiful memories. God Bless, -Marianne Kalinke
Please accept the Bowker Family's sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. May you enjoy sharing together all the treasured memories as you celebrate her life. May God bring peace and comfort. We know He has a special spot for her in heaven. -John and Joanne Bowker
Please accept my condolences on Margaret Moeller's passing. -Christine Martel (past commander, American Legion Post 94)
My sincere condolences on death of your Mom. How blessed to have enjoyed the love of your Mom for so many years. Fritz ‘s favorite present at Christmas was always the peanut brittle. My love and prayers to all of you, -Patty Vandevelde
Dear Marty and Family: After learning more about your mother in her obituary, she certainly lived a fun and productive life, while raising so many wonderful children. May she rest in peace in the arms of the lord for all eternity. With deepest condolences, -Lenny Corso and family
What a wonderfully lived life and what a beautifully written tribute to her. I didn’t know Margaret, but her grace and humor are evident. My condolences. -Sandra (Hass) Yamhure
