Margie Schweitzer

Margaret Alice Schafer Schweitzer, 88, died peacefully on December 2, 2025 surrounded by her loving family in Bismarck, North Dakota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck, ND.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil Service starting at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Margie was born on January 23, 1937 in Flasher, North Dakota to Barbara Fix and Michael Schafer, at the midwife’s house during a snowstorm. Returning home in a sleigh, the storm forced baby Margie and her parents to spend the night at a neighbor’s place before finally reaching the family farm!

Margie was the 9th of 11 children, and she loved life with her siblings on the farm. Every Easter they built little houses out of wire, brick or any material available, set them on the porch, and rushed out early Easter morning to see if the Easter Bunny had arrived! She loved working with her older brothers in the fields, driving a team of horses and then graduating to tractors. She also loved riding her spirited black horse, Beauty. She enjoyed singing in the choir, softball, and working at Hoffman Grocery Store in Flasher during her high school years, where she was a valued clerk.

After graduating from Flasher High School in 1954, Margie moved to Bismarck and worked in the billing department at St. Alexius hospital. One Saturday night, she and some girlfriends went to a dance in Moffit, North Dakota where she met the love of her life, Andrew (Andy) Schweitzer. They were married on June 25, 1958 and thus began a love story of 62 years, dancing many more Saturday nights. They were a beautiful sight on the dance floor, and now they are dancing together again, among the stars on the clouds in heaven.

Margie and Andy raised 10 children, several foster children, and was like a 2nd mom to many of her children’s friends. Her family was her most cherished treasure. She was a tirelessly loving, tender, caring, nurturing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She managed to make each child feel special, finding individual time to go to movies, concerts, plays, sporting events, fishing, lake resorts, and favorite restaurants. She adored her 33 grandchildren and attended all their activities whenever possible, near and far. She loved traveling with Andy and her family. Among her many travel adventures in the U.S.A. and abroad, she was blessed with a visit to her brother Leo’s grave at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, and a dream trip to Prince Edward Island with her five daughters.

Margie was the world’s greatest homemaker and cook, and she loved entertaining family and friends. She always had perfectly delicious food ready to serve, made with so much love. Her house was an open door; she truly loved all relatives, friends, and her kids’ friends who entered her home, welcoming them with a cheerful smile and a huge, warm, open heart.

Besides tending to her home and children, Margie was the Schweitzer Tree Service business manager since 1960. She was also Andy’s photographic memory…she could produce names, phone numbers, addresses and events for him in instant. She was indispensable to keep the business running and things organized on the home front.

In spite of all her duties and hard work at home, Margie set her children free with loving enthusiasm, encouraging them to go out and find their rightful place in the world. She lived and breathed the quote “Bloom where you are planted.”, and she loved seeing her family flourish in their lives, wherever life took them.

Margie loved her Catholic faith and enjoyed being a part of prayer groups and a birthday club with many wonderful girlfriends over the years. She was involved in Cursillo and was a member of Catholic daughters, always willing to serve. She was a beacon of light for her community, welcoming and embracing all human beings with unconditional love, prayers and support.

She is survived by her 10 children: Todd (Deb Dutchuk), Tammy (Tom) Munson, Tedi (Tom) Maher, Teresa (Salvador Quiejú), Toby (Cathy Sullivan), Trent (Amy Snyder), Tanya, Travis (Trina Splonskowski), Tricia (Joanne Stelter), and Tanner; 33 grandchildren: Luke (Greta), Ginny (Andrew), Mary (Chris), Molly (Joe), Faith (Nathan), Ty, and Tristan Schweitzer; Jackie (Adam), Chelsea (Andrew), Micah (Luke), and Josey (Anthony) Munson; Jake, Jessi (Rockie), and Toby (Alexa) Maher; Lexi (Bryson), Lindsey (Byrne), Hallie (Paul) and Sommer Schweitzer; Madelyn, Victoria (Ryan), Joseph and Isabelle Schweitzer; Annalee and Ana Betty Kramer; Sam (Makilie), Frank (Amya), Andrew (Amber), Annie Rose (Joseph), Maggie, Sebastian, and Christina Schweitzer; Savannah and Rhett Schweitzer; and 30 great-grandchildren: Benedict, Katherine, Jacob, Elizabeth; Frankie, Liam, Tommy, Teddy, Charlie; Emmett, Jack; Michael, Mya; Layla, Axel; Everly, heavenly great-grandson Brooks, Olivia, Benson; Laiken, Easton, Brewer, Hendrick; Rockie, Elsie, Rubie, Emmie; Parker; Odi and Xenia, (+4 on the way); sisters Mary Frank and Jeanie Kraft; brother Jim (Marie), sister-in-law Joanne Smith, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Margie is preceded in death by her husband Andy, her parents Barbara and Michael, infant sons Timothy and Thomas, great-grandson Brooks, siblings Leo, Otto (Iona), Sr. Charlene, Adam (Helen), Pete (Vivian), John (Ardys), Richard (Gavis), sister-in-law Clara Schafer, and brothers-in-law Tony Frank, Matt Kraft and Bernie Smith.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Light of Christ Catholic Schools in loving memory of Margie.

Margie’s family would like to thank everyone at Missouri Slope who lovingly cared for our precious mom for 3.5 years. Your tender compassion and professional skills will always be remembered. You are angels on earth, and we appreciate and love you more than words can say.