"Mary, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Thinking about you and your family. Prayers!"
Margaret S. Rule, 95 1/2, of Marquette, died Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Trillium Hospice House surrounded by her family, her special family at Trillium where she had resided since October 16, 2018, and under the care of UP Home Health & Hospice.
Margaret was born on December 31, 1925 in Marquette to the late George J. and Ella A. (Choquette) Smedman and was a lifelong area resident. She was a 1943 graduate of Bishop Baraga High School and on April 30, 1949 she married William E. Rule at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette and together they enjoyed 66 years of marriage.
Prior to raising her family, Margaret was employed for 10 years with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. While her children were in school, Margaret was employed at St. Michael's School cafeteria.
Margaret was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and at one time was quite active in its altar society. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, praying her rosary and dedicating her life to others. She was devoted to the Blessed Mother and prayed daily for the holy souls in purgatory.
A very forgiving person, Margaret never uttered a bad word about anyone. She loved her children and grandchildren and always looked for the inherent good in everyone.
Survivors include four children, W. Scott (Mary) Rule, James P. (Sherri) Rule, Mary (Wayne) Buhrmann, and Beth A. (Gary) Heidtman, all of Marquette; five granddaughters, Jennifer Rule, Jacqueline (Nick) Smith, Erin Rule, Allison Rule and Kathryn Buhrmann; two step-granddaughters, Angela (Jason) Liberty and Katie (Mike) Rowe; 13 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson; one brother-in-law, Wilbur "Bud" Schmeltzer. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews including Jackie (Patrick) Gonda and a great nephew, Nicholas Gonda. Preceding her in death besides her parents was her husband, William E. Rule on December 7, 2015; three sisters, Theresa Schmeltzer, Frances (Charles) Downs and Helen (Charles) Myers; also a brother, Charles T. (Lucille) Smedman.
Friends may call at St. Michael Catholic Church on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon where a Funeral Mass will follow in the church at 12 p.m. with the Rev. Gregory Heikkala officiating and Deacon Dennis Maki assisting. Entombment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum. Margaret's children will act as her escorts.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider St. Michael Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 401 W. Kaye Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 or Trillium Hospice House, 1144 Northland Drive, Marquette, MI 49855 in Margaret's memory.
Margaret's family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Trillium House and U.P. Home Health and Hospice who aided her and William in their final years.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Rule family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
"Mary, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Thinking about you and your family. Prayers!"
"Mary, I was sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. She was such a warm friendly lady. I didn't know until to late to go to her Mass. She's with your Dad now Hugs"
"I was saddened to hear of your Mother's passing. She was a kind and loving woman. To all her children I send my deepest sympathy and prayers. "
"Mary and family. We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother. Bonnie Kampe-Tatge"
"Scott, Mary and family - We are sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time."
"Scott, Mary and family - so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. - Jim & Deb Diedrich"