The Mass of Christian burial for Margaret Van Erp of Battle Lake and formerly of Bluffton, will be celebrated at 11:00a.m. on Monday, July 7, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton. Visitation will be held on Sunday at the Community Center in Bluffton from 4:00 until 8:00p.m. to include her eulogy, prayer service and rosary. Visitation will resume at the church on Monday from 9:30a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Bluffton, MN.

Margaret passed peacefully from this world into her loving Father’s arms with her family by her side on the afternoon of June 23, 2025, at age 82.

Margaret Anna Guck was born on May 13, 1943, to Hugo and Helen (Breuer) Guck in Wadena, MN. She was welcomed home by older brothers Ron and Duane, and a younger sister, Susan, arrived two years later. Margaret grew up across the road from the one-room schoolhouse she attended through 8th grade, after which she completed high school in New York Mills, graduating with the Class of 1961. Margaret earned her LPN (licensed practical nurse) degree in Thief River Falls and went to work at the hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. While she was in nursing school, she began writing letters to her friend’s brother, Peter Van Erp, while he was serving in the Army in Germany. He wrote back and a lifelong love bloomed. Peter and Margaret were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton on May 11, 1964. They went on to have six kids: Ted, Tom, Theresa, Todd, Tammy, and Tonya. Peter and Margaret farmed for many years north of Bluffton and, by their example, taught their kids the value of hard work.

Margaret loved her life as a nurse, homemaker, 4-H Leader, seamstress, cake decorator, and volunteer. She was active in her church and Lion’s club where she made many dear friends. Margaret was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bluffton, MN. She was a proud member of the Bluffton Lions Club and served as the District 5M9 Governor in 2012-13. More importantly, Mom was a devoted mother and Nana. She welcomed many extra people to her home over the years and if you left the table hungry, it was your own damn fault! Margaret was especially proud of her six children and their spouses, 25 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Faith and family were always first in Margaret’s life. Nana Papa Camp will be a treasured memory for all the grandkids.

Margaret is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Peter Van Erp; her children Ted (Becky) Van Erp of Battle Lake, Tom (Janelle) Van Erp of Battle Lake, Theresa (Ross) Ukkelberg of Clitherall, Todd (Nancy) Van Erp of Cold Spring, Tammy (Scott) Welsh of Lewistown, Montana, and Tonya (Dan) Zierden of Fergus Falls. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren – Ted’s kids: Samantha (Kris), Petric (Sara and their children Piper and Theo), and Eric; Tom’s kids: Evan, Andrew, Nick, Brady, and Grace; Theresa’s kids: Jacob, Alex, Tyler (Madison), and Tony; Todd’s kids: Maya, Faith, Luke, and Kate; Tammy’s kids: Anna, Logan, Claire, and Connor; and Tonya’s kids: Nathan, Jade, Cole, Shane, and Brook. Margaret is survived by her sister, Susan (Ed) Vonderharr of Madison, and in-laws Jan Guck of Pharr, Texas, Deian Guck of Hastings, and Francis and Mary Ann (Van Erp) Seifert of Perham.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Helen Guck; siblings and in-laws, Ron Guck, Duane Guck, Cathy and Al Lachowitzer, Johanna Van Erp, and Theodore and Marie Van Erp.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lions Clubs Empowering Service Fund, or a service group of your choice.

Margaret’s family extends their gratitude to Vivie (formerly Knute Nelson) Home Care and Hospice, CentraCare-Fresenius Kidney Care staff, and all of Margaret’s caregivers. We are grateful for your love, care, friendship, and fellowship as we celebrate Margaret’s life. Thank you for your kindness, love and for your presence through this journey. Please know we are so grateful and love all of you.

Arrangements with Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Wadena, MN. (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)