Margaret Ayers Obituary

Margaret Shaw Ayers, a longtime resident of Mankato, went home to the Lord on June 30, 2025.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 15 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary with a 6:30 p.m. rosary. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Holy Rosary Parish, School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund or the donor’s choice.

Margaret was born on a farm in Nicollet County on September 26, 1924, to Jeremiah and Mary (Lorentz) Shaw. She was the youngest of nine children. Margaret attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1943. Following graduation, she worked at National Citizens Bank and KYSM Radio Station. On May 24, 1947, she married Bernard Ayers at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Throughout her life Margaret held many volunteer positions: President of Good Counsel Alumnae (chairwoman of the Gala), chairwoman of the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, president of the Holy Rosary Council of Catholic Women, a 52-year volunteer of the Immanuel-St. Joseph Auxiliary Gift Shop. As an 87-year member of Holy Rosary Parish, she served on many parish committees. She also served as an election judge and on the Nicollet County Nursing Board. Margaret’s hobbies included sewing, golfing, dancing, traveling, playing bridge and time with family and friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Marcia (partner, Patricia Garrity) of Murrieta, CA and Jane Groves of Rochester, MN; two sons, Michael (Jeannine) of Lake Elmo, MN and Patrick (Laurie) of Andover, MN; three grandsons, Ryan (Kari) Ayers of Fargo, ND, Jacob (Katie) Groves and Tyler (Cydney) Groves of Rochester, MN; one granddaughter, Andrea (Jack) Ecker of Woodbury, MN; Margaret was the proud great-grandmother to Noah, Isaiah, Jonah and Grace Ayers, Amelia, Elijah, Christian and Jacob Ecker, Jonathan, Cameron and Audrey Groves; step grandchildren, Deena (Aaron) Mather and family, Nicole (Matt) Fricke and family, Ken Hayes and family. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, “Bernie” in October of 1990; son-in-law, Gregory Groves in November 2020 in addition to her two sisters, Anna and Elizabeth; six brothers, John, Bathes, Henry, Bernard, Thomas and Cornelius.

May her Faith and remarkable spirit inspire us all to cherish the blessings of life, family and friends. She will be deeply missed by us all.