Marguerite Lucy Lawler

Marguerite Lucy (Murphy) Lawler, 88 of Alexandria, passed away in Maple Grove, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, Minnesota beginning at 11:00 AM. A public visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, as well as one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Marguerite was born on April 10, 1937 to Jeremiah Daniel “JD” and Leona (Billeadeau) Murphy in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The eldest of three children, Marguerite and her siblings were active at St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended public school in Grand Rapids. After graduating with the class of 1955, Marguerite moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota for Nursing.

While attending school at the U, she met dental student Richard Lawler and the two were married on September 26, 1959. For their first years of marriage, the couple followed Dick’s career as a dentist in the Air Force to Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Eventually making it back to Minnesota, they settled in Duluth for a short time, where they welcomed their daughter Laurie. Two years later, Dick and Marguerite set up a practice and moved the family to Alexandria, where they soon welcomed their son Greg.

Marguerite and Dick were both active members at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and remained involved in many different organizations throughout their years in the community. Marguerite participated in book clubs, Bible studies, Gourmet Group, and loved to play bridge with her friends. Marguerite was an excellent friend. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always made an effort to keep in touch.

After Dick’s retirement in 2002, the couple spent many years wintering in Rio Verde, Arizona, where they formed many close friendships. Together, they also loved skiing, golfing, playing tennis, and, especially, attending their grandkids’ many sporting events and extracurricular activities.

On May 8, 2014, Dick passed away surrounded by the love of his family. Marguerite soon after moved in with her daughter, Laurie, and son-in-law, Steve. She remained very active, playing golf several times a week, spending time with friends, and enjoying time with her family. After several years of living with Laurie and Steve, Marguerite made her home at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, where she quickly fit in and made many new friends. Marguerite also continued to winter in Arizona, something she was blessed to do even this last season.

In July, Marguerite was diagnosed with cancer. And even as her illness progressed, she didn’t let it deter her from getting in a few more rounds of golf, or attending important family weddings. Just days before her passing, Marguerite was able to walk down the aisle for her granddaughter’s wedding and spend time with all of her grandchildren. Lovingly deemed “America’s Grandma,” Marguerite was loved by not only her grandkids, but by their friends as well.

Marguerite’s sense of humor and loving heart will be missed by many. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Steve Cummings; grandchildren: Caitlin (Jonas) Guerrero, Collen (Taylor) Gunkel, Bridget (Ryan) Michaelis, Jack (Megan) Cummings, Lauren Lawler, Leah (Jack) Krueger, T.J. Lawler, Brady Lawler; great-grandchildren: Teddy, McKenna, and Brody Gunkel; Sebastian Guerrero; Maeve Michaelis and Baby Michaelis; Molly Cummings; sister, Kathleen (Gib) Willson; sister-in-law, Tina Murphy; as well as many other beloved friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents, JD and Leona Murphy; husband, Richard “Dick” Lawler; son, Greg Lawler; and brother, Tim Murphy.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS TO ARM AND ARM IN AFRICA MADE IN MARGUERITE’S MEMORY ARE PREFERRED

Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of arrangements for Marguerite.