Margaret Ruth Novotny

June 17, 1924 - January 21, 2021

Margaret Ruth Novotny, 96, passed away at the Eastern Montana Veterans’ Home, Glendive, Montana, on January 21, 2021. All those who love her and whom she loved, are grateful that she was able to be part of our lives for so long, and feel blessed that she had a peaceful and comfortable death. Margaret was born to parents Ben and Celia Lynch in Sauk Center, Minnesota in 1924. She attended school in Sauk Centre. She married young, and worked hard to support her daughter, Shirley. She married her soulmate, Ray Novotny, in Beach, North Dakota in 1953, and they shared 61 years of marriage together. They enjoyed each other’s company, and had a lot of fun together. Once, while driving, a good song came on the car radio, so they pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the car and danced together. They loved travelling in their 5th-wheeler and going fishing. She was a wise and lucky visitor to the local casinos, and she loved to play cards. She very much enjoyed the gentlemen who drove the local bus, and they were very good to her. She made a mean sauerkraut. Margaret had the biggest, kindest heart, and gave the most wonderful hugs. She had a keen and unfailing sense of humor, and a wonderful laugh. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Ray. and her parents, Ben and Cecelia. She was also predeceased by her four siblings, Mary, Nora, Thomas and Bernadine, and her son-in-law, Peter. She is survived by her daughter Shirley (née Bliss) Atkinson (Peter), her grandchildren Sue Atkinson (Heather), Cathy Darrow (John), Lisa Dudley (Sherri), Carolyn Atkinson (Christopher) and Steve Atkinson (Jody), and her granddaughters Juniper and Chloe. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. The family is so grateful for the support both they and Margaret have received from her niece, Swenda Braden and family, and her friends, Edna Schock and Dee Hall. Thank you to those who provided excellent end of life care at the Eastern Montana Veterans’ Home, and to those at the Grandview Retirement Home. She enjoyed the staff there and made many friends. She and Ray were faithful members of Sacred Heart Parish. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will be in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhome.com.