Margaret "Peggy" Ann Kolo

Margaret (Peggy) Ann Kolo, passed away peacefully on August 18th, 2024 in Duluth, MN at the Benedictine Health Center.

She was born to Charles Stewart and Dorothy Goertzen Stewart on August 1, 1946 in Portland, Oregon. When she was three years old her family moved from the west coast to Wichita, KS, where she grew up with her sisters, Jeanne, Pat and Mary, and her brother, Rob. Peggy told stories about visiting her grandparents on their farm, playing practical jokes and going to the corner store for chocolate cokes.

Peggy graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1964 and went on to work at King’s Ex., a drive up food place. She also was a candy striper for the VA.

In about 1964 Peggy’s roommate wanted to date an Air Force man, but she wouldn’t go unless she had a blind date for her friend. Peggy became the blind date and on December 28, 1965, Peggy married Frank (Francis) Kolo. They packed up their belongings and moved to Babbitt, MN to start their young married life. In June, 1967 they had their twins, Joe (Joseph) and Jeannie (Jeanne), and in May, 1968, they had their daughter Lucinda.

In 1972 Peggy and Frank’s family struck out again and moved to Duluth where she and Frank raised their kids and stayed until Peggy passed away with all of her family around her. 

During her time in Duluth, Peggy worked at Homecroft Elementary in the kitchen and then worked at the Duluth Base Exchange for many years before retiring. She also served her community by leading a Girl Scout troop, serving on the Rice Lake Volunteer Firefighters Auxiliary, and working as an election judge. Peggy took great pride in helping to plan the Halloween Carnival in Rice Lake Township for several years.

Peggy was a voracious reader, a champion puzzle builder, a master sewer, and an avid gardener.

More than all these things, Peggy was a devoted wife to Frank for almost 59 years. She was gentle and kind, feisty and playful. She could see people for who they were, and she welcomed people with open arms. She had a generous and tenacious spirit. She used humor to get through hard things. Her favorite person in the world was her husband, Frank. She loved her children fiercely, and she adored all six of her grandchildren.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Charles W. Stewart and Dorothy Stewart, and her sister, Mary Hay

Peggy will be dearly missed by her husband, Frank Kolo; her children and grandchildren, Joe (Nancy) Kolo and Emma Jo, Grace, and Samuel Kolo; Jeanne Kolo-Johnson and Elyssa and Grant Johnson; Lucinda Kolo and Benjamin Caron; and siblings, Jeanne Stewart, Patricia (Terry) Nystrom and Robert (Ken) Stewart. Peggy has nieces, nephews and friends who will also miss her dearly.

Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 26th, 2024 at 1:15 pm at the Benedictine Health Center Chapel (935 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811). In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Minnesota Stroke Association: Donate to the Minnesota Stroke Association – Minnesota Stroke Association (strokemn.org).