Margaret Slanina

Margaret Wall-Slanina, formerly of River Falls, died peacefully on March 12, 2006 at her home in Wyoming, Mn. She was born on April 28, 1916 in Beldenville, WI to parents Charles and Pearle Clonts-Bloes. She Graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1935. As a high school student was honored to be the piano accopanist for the State Fair Orchestra and Choir when they were chosen to perform at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. Margaret received a teaching certificate from UW-River Falls in 1938 and began teaching at Angel Hill Country School. After attending summer school and night classes, she received her Bachelors Degree in 1957 and taught at Afton Lakeland Elementary School for 19 years. Her special interest was integrating Spanish into the curriculum for her 6th graders. In 1967, Margaret was widowed when her husband Mel was killed in a plane accident while on a humanitarian mission in Vietnam working for Aid to International Development. Following her retirement form teaching, Margaret became a winter visitor in San Benito, TX. She was active in the Winter Vistors Club acting as secretary and choir director. The mixed choir produced several costumed shows each year. She was accomplished pianist and accompanied small vocal groups well into her 80s. In 1978 Margaret married Henry Slanina and they became Texas residents. They spent summers in River Falls and Lindstrom, MN until he died from a heart attack in June, 1988. Margaret was very active in the United Methodist Church as a choir member and as Lay Leader. She was a stong, independent woman with an exceedingly generous spirit. Margarets dry sense of humor and her story telling will be missed dearly. She loved her family without judgement, was a devoted friend, and avid reader and bridge player. Margaret loved music, adored her cats, was a member of PEO and the UW-RF Faculty Womens Club. Margaret loved to travel, with Scotland and Ireland being her favorite places to visit. She was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to kiss the Blanrney Stone while in Ireland. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her younger siblings, John Boles, Marion Hincher, Charles and Douglas Boles; her husbands, Mel Wall and Henry Slanina; her son, Chuck Wall. She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Wall(Bill Dickman), of Osceola and Son, Doug of Tampa, FL.; granddaughters, Katy Woman (Tom Bensen), Ginger Worman (Mike Regal), Jenny Granger (Tim), special daughter, Marti Hudak; first cousin Mike (Judy) Baker of River Falls; great grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 on Sunday March 19, 2006, at Roberts-Eckert Funeral Home at 555 SW Centennial Dr in Forest Lake, MN.