Marguerite C. Kottom

Marguerite C. Kottom, 76, of Hibbing, MN, as she stated she would, left this world dancing with a smile on her face on Friday, January 31, 2025. She was born in Duluth, MN, on July 4, 1948, to Milton and Patricia (Jentoft) Shafer. 

Marguerite attended Hibbing schools and worked as a nurse for many years before meeting her husband, Ronald Kottom. Together they started a family, and she was a homemaker as she took care of others. During that time, she also owned and operated the Mulberry Bush card store in the Mesabi Mall for years with her sister Patty. Marguerite's great pride was her family, and she was always the first to volunteer to cook for hungry wrestlers, make bars for bake sales, organize elaborate birthday parties and not only prepare but host legendary holiday feasts.  In 2005, she became a grandmother and spent countless hours reading stories, watching musicals, baking desserts, having picnics and sharing her precious knowledge with her grandchildren.  Even as her health started to fail in recent years, she continued wearing a smile that could warm the coldest person.  Marguerite also kept her sense of humor and personality as she had long conversations to connect with her doctors and nurses who were so greatly appreciated. She will be greatly missed.

Marguerite is survived by her son Christopher (Petra) Kottom, sisters Patty Shafer and Kathleen (Roman) Ertelt, grandchildren Ema and Oskar Kottom and Olivia Sallila, nieces Bridget (Joey Dauwalter) Ertelt and Katie Ertelt along with many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron and daughter Kathleen Sallila.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. Pastor Dave Aho with Hibbing Christian Assembly will officiate. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service at 10:00 AM. A private interment will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.