Magdalene Volk

Magdalene Volk, 92, of Rugby, died at the Heart of America Medical Center, in Rugby, on January 15, 2010.

Mrs. Volk was born on July 2, 1917, in the Blumenfeld area southwest of Rugby, to Michael and Barbara Meyer (Binfet) Leier. She attended school and graduated from the 8th grade. She worked as a chambermaid at a Minot hospital for a short time. On October 27, 1937, she married Philip Volk at Blumenfeld. They farmed in the Berwick area for a short time and then moved to Karlsruhe, where they worked at a grocery store and also farmed in the area. They moved to the Knox area in 1945. They farmed until 1947, when they moved to Rugby for her health and to be closer to a Catholic school for the children’s education. They returned to the farm in 1961, and in 1970, they returned to Rugby and their son, Ed, returned to begin his farming career. They were also available in the summer months to help with the farm, entertain the grandkids, and teach them the way “it used to be” with good German-Russian cooking. In the winter months, they took their camper and joined with friends in a camper caravan and left for the South, mostly Yuma, Arizona. They enjoyed overseas tours with brothers and sisters and their friends. Magdalene enjoyed gardening and made many fresh garden meals. She also enjoyed quilting, rosary making, and playing cards with her friends. The holiday season was enjoyed by the family at her house with delicious meals served on white china and silver service and much good food. The smells of baking and cooking permeated the neighborhood. She was sure to make kuchen for each of the granchildren’s weddings, even if it had to be shipped or she arrived early to bake it on-site. As she aged and required some care or was encouraged to do less work to prevent anxiousness, she moved to the Haaland Manor, the Haaland Home, Southview Estates, and finally to the Long Term Care Unit at the Heart of America Medical Center. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers at the Little Flower Church in Rugby.

Magdalene is survived by her two sons: Victor and his wife, Gloria, of Silvis, Illinois, and Edward of Knox, North Dakota, and her son-in-law, Thomas Tebbitt, of Blaine, Minnesota. She also leaves 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, in addition to brothers Joe Leier – Minot, and Clem Leier – Velva, and a sister, Katherine Walter – Minot.

She was preceded in death by her husband on July 4, 1988; her daughter-in-law, Harriet, on March 26, 1995; her daughter, Barbara Tebbitt, on July 13, 2001; and a great-grandson, Taylor, in 2002. She was also preceded by brothers Nick Leier and Mike Binfet, and sisters Anna Merck, Mary Hoffart, Sister Ann Borromea, Blanche Binfet, Christine Volk, and Frances Boechler.

Funeral Services were held at Little Flower Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, with Rev. Thomas M. Graner officiating. Casketbearers were her grandchildren: Carrie DeFields, Kathryn Dilse, Jolena Hagen, Marcella Swearson, Cindy VandeWoude, Charles, James, Jeff, Philip, and Steven Volk, and her niece, LeAnn Kraft. Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas served as honor guard. Angie Deplazes was the song leader and Laurie Volk was the organist. Altar servers were Devin & Abagail Volk and Jordan Dilse. The readers were Jolena Hagen and Lisa Volk.

Burial will be in the spring at the Little Flower Catholic Cemetery in Rugby.

Memorials are welcomed to the Haiti Relief Fund of your choice.