Margarete Kirsten

Margarete died peacefully at the age of 96 at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, where she had been a resident since 2005. She has joined her "Liebling", Hans, in heaven where they are finally re-united. Margarete was born in Hamburg-Altona, Germany, to Hans and Anna Mathiesen. She met her future husband at a dance when she was only 16 and they were married in Flensburg, Germany in 1941. In 1953 Hans and Margarete left Hamburg, Germany with their three children and arrived in Bronx, NY with $100 in their pockets. They were sponsored and assisted by Margarete's aunt and uncle and very quickly found jobs. Their children started school the third day after arriving in the Bronx. The family moved to Sarasota in 1956. Hans became a successful real estate broker with his own office at the Marina Mar (Jack), and Margarete worked in the lingerie department at Maas Brothers department store in downtown Sarasota. In 1965 Hans and Margarete opened their second nursery school, The Wooden Shoes Nursery School and Kindergarten on Swift Rd.. Designed by Margarete, it was specifically built for the purpose of a nursery school and kindergarten, the first of its kind in Sarasota. They frequently met the legal capacity of 110, the number of children allowed for that size building. A kindergarten building was located behind the main building. At the time the fee per child was $2.10/day with hot lunch and two snacks included. Margarete truly loved every one of "her" children. Margerete and Hans traveled and cruised extensively after selling the Wooden Shoes many years later. It still stands today. Margarete is survived by her son, Hans-Dieter (Charlene), her daughter and best friend, Birgitt Kline (Bob), a sister, Helga Cosgrove (George), and a cousin, Lissie Hansen, age 103, of Flensburg, Germany. She was Oma to 12 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and aunt to five nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Hans, her son, Walt, her parents, a brother, Hans, and a grandson, Stephen. A private family service has been planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

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Margarete Kirsten

September 12, 2018