Margaret McCubbin

Margaret (Peg) McCubbin, age 75 of Center City, died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at her residence. Margaret Anne Page (Peg) McCubbin was born on March 3, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio to parents, Lt. Col. John Upshur Dennis Page and Margaret S. Wood. She was baptized in the Church of St. John the Evangelist on July 30, 1938. Peg graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Biology.

She married D. Bruce McCubbin on September 3, 1960. They lived in St. Paul where Peg was an elementary school teacher in the St. Paul school district. Peg realized she had a gift and a passion for teaching, and formulated many of the teaching techniques she used the rest of her life. Peg and Bruce purchased land in Center City in 1971, pursuing a dream to move to the country. That same year they built their log house, making Center City their home and Chisago Lakes their community. Peg has been a member of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church since 1973. Peg and Bruce enjoyed having large vegetable gardens, raising a few pigs, and freezing or canning everything they raised. Eventually, they had two milk cows that Peg milked by hand, and Peg sold fresh milk to families for many years. Peg often reflected on this period in her life quite fondly. She found working from sun-up to sun-down on the farm hard, yet at the same time extraordinarily rewarding.

Bruce, Peg's husband of 20 years, died unexpectedly in January, 1980. Although Peg scaled back on gardening and farming in subsequent years, she still enjoyed living with nature as well as her many dogs and cats. Shortly after Bruce's death, Peg returned to her first passion: teaching in the Chisago Lakes school district. Additionally, Peg would tutor students after school. Eventually, Peg traded-in her paid teaching position to instead become a volunteer tutor at Chisago Lakes High School. She was a volunteer tutor at the high school for more than 20 years, helping countless students reach graduation day. Her impact on students’ lives often went beyond help with their coursework. She would offer guidance counseling and advice on life in general. Moreover, Peg would knit mittens, hats, scarves, or sweaters for many of her students needing something warm to wear. Peg is survived by her brother, Dennis Page and his wife Susan of Tucson, AZ.

Peg had no children, but she developed a family relationship with John Rydning and his wife, Lisa of Center City. Peg took immense interest and pride in her three grandchildren: Philip, Annalies, and Chersti. She also warmly embraced Philip's spouse, Jessica and Anna's spouse, Zachary. She was somewhat shocked to gain the status of becoming a great grandmother, but at the same time celebrated the addition of Zayne to the family one year ago. She preferred to be called GG. Peg also had a close friendship with Ange Campbell and her husband Mat, and their children. Without a doubt, Peg's legacy is the impact she left on many people's lives in the community in numerous ways. She lived with a sense of duty and purpose, and was planning to return to the high school this coming Fall, and continue making a difference in students’ lives. The role she played at the high school is irreplaceable, and her absence from our lives will be missed greatly.

Funeral services were Tuesday, July 16 at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City with Rev. Craig Lundstad-Vogt officiating. Music was provided by Bill Chouinard as organist and Dan Chouinard as pianist, John Chouinard and Chersti Rydning as soloists. Interment followed the service at Hillside Cemetery in Center City. Serving as casketbearers were Philip Rydning, Greg Olson, Mat Campbell, Adam Erdman, Jeremy Erdman, Robert Chambers and Zach Launderville. Memorials may be directed to the Peg McCubbin Memorial Fund established at Central Bank in Center City. Arrangements were by Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom. Condolences maybe left at www.grandstrandfh.com.