Margaret Kiesz-Flatin

Margaret Kiesz Flatin, former long-time Mercer County Resident, died at an Alzheimer’s care facility in Fargo-Moorhead on November 12th. Margaret is the beloved mother of seven children, and was a teacher to hundreds during her 44 years in education. Margaret was born on March 14, 1920, on the Halliday farm of her parents, J. Carl and Inga (Pederson) Swenson. Margaret was the 6th of 8 siblings. After graduating as Valedictorian of her 1937 Halliday High School class, Margaret enrolled at Dickinson State (Teachers) College where she received her Standard Elementary Degree and began her 44-year teaching career. Margaret eloped with Harold Kiesz to Laurel, Montana, where they were married on November 15th, 1944. Harold died in 1980. Margaret married Cliff Flatin in Fargo on June 22, 1991. Cliff Died on October 24, 2009. Margaret’s first year of teaching was in a one-room school house in the Pembina Mountains. She taught in rural schools around Golden Valley and Dodge prior to teaching the 1st and 2nd grades in the Golden Valley Public School. After Harold was elected Mercer County Sheriff, Margaret began teaching in the Stanton Public School. In 1971, she became the 5th grade teacher in Napolean. In 1974, proud family members watched as Margaret received her B.S. in Elementary Education at Mayville State College. Margaret taught in Napolean until 1985 when she retired and moved to Fargo. In addition to raising her children and teaching, Margaret was very active with a schedule that included gardening, canning, baking, and dancing. She loved to dance. Guests marveled as she danced the polka wearing three inch heels – on her 80th birthday – with a partner at least 20 years younger. She didn’t miss a step. Margaret’s agenda was not limited to mere social activities but to social causes as well. She represented Logan County as a Senior Citizen Representative to the Legislature in 1987-1989 and was Cass County’s representative in 89-91. She was an Emergency Services Volunteer for many years, comforting many during their ambulance ride to the hospital. Margaret and Cliff were both long-time volunteers at the Dakota Hospital in Fargo. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary, the Eagles, Sons of Norway and the ND Retired Teachers Association. Margaret is survived by her seven children; Karen (Sean Calnan) Kiesz, Long Beach, CA, Harold (Christine) Kiesz, New Glarus, WI, Carol (Willis) Sailer, Port Orchard, WA, Robley Kiesz, Bismarck, ND, Lynelle (Wesley) Dick, Fargo, ND, Bruce Kiesz, AZ, Kim (Christopher) Brown, Pleasanton, CA; 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; three step children and their families; Virginia (Dewey) Tommerdahl, Fergus Falls, MN, Kay (Duane) Grunewald, Thompson, Gene Flatin, Colorado, brother; Charles (Connie) Swenson, Glendive, MT; and sister Ruth Tschaekofske, Dodge. In addition to Cliff and Harold, she was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings. Viewing will be at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo on Wednesday, November 18th, from 5 PM to 7 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Golgotha Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, ND, on Thursday, November 19th, at 1 PM. The Funeral is being handled by the Seibel Funeral Home in Beulah. Please Feel Free to sign the online guestbook at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.