Mass of Christian burial will be at 11am on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Tanner Thooft celebrating mass. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

A visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Monday, November 17, 2025 and will continue from 9:30-10:30am, both at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH chapel.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Cathy (Myron) Seidl of Hanska; sons, Timothy (Marci) Spaeth of Saint Charles, Steven (Jean) Spaeth of Deland, Florida; son-in-law, Robert Lindemann; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Saulmon; brother, Sam Carmichael; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al Spaeth in 2022; daughter, Nancy Jo Spaeth Lindemann; son, Alan Spaeth; sister, Shirley (Robert) Edwards; brother, Mack Carmichael.

Margaret Katherine Carmichael was born on August 17, 1935, in Enterprise, Alabama to Lewis and Margaret (Brunson) Carmichael. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Panama City, Florida, where Margaret grew up surrounded by sunshine, southern cooking, and the close-knit community that stayed with her throughout her life.

After graduating high school, Margaret met Alois “Al” Spaeth, and the two quickly became inseparable. They were married on August 14, 1952 at Fort Rucker, Alabama, beginning a partnership that became the steady center of everything that followed–70 years of devotion, humor, and shared adventures. Their greatest joy was raising five children together.

Soon after marrying, Margaret and Al made New Ulm their home, planting roots that would hold for the rest of their lives. While her children were young, Margaret poured her heart into being a stay-at-home mother, creating a home where everyone felt cared for. Once her children were grown, she brought that same warm presence to her work at the New Ulm hospital.

Margaret expressed her love in the most tangible, memorable ways–especially through food.

She loved hosting people, because it gave her the perfect opportunity to feed them, which was her truest love language. Her famous pound cake and homemade pecan pies became a signature part of who she was, and she baked often, sharing those sweet comforts generously with family, friends, and anyone who stepped through her door.

She delighted in life’s simple joys: shopping trips with loved ones, dancing to old-time music, and evenings spent with her card club. She and Al stayed active and adventurous throughout their marriage–traveling, fishing in Canada, and joining friends in the local snowmobile club.

And although her home was in Minnesota, her heart never lost its fondness for the flavors of the South or her cherished summer visits back to Florida.

Margaret also had a deep love for capturing memories. She took countless photos and found great joy in sharing them. If you were close to her, chances are you received cards in the mail filled with pictures she thought you’d enjoy–little snapshots of life she wanted to pass along.

Her faith was a constant source of strength. As a long-standing member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm, she found comfort, purpose, and community.

Above all, her grandchildren were the light of her life. Each one held a unique place in her heart, and she never missed an opportunity to show her pride, encouragement, and affection for them.

She cherished every phone call and loved any chance for a drop-in visit–those everyday moments were her greatest joy. To her family–and to so many others–Margaret was a source of warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness. She made people feel welcomed, loved, and cared for simply by being herself.

Her presence was a blessing, and she was deeply loved in return. She will be profoundly missed. Blessed be her memory.

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