Margaret Lorene Hromatko

Margaret Hromatko, age 91, of Ocheyedan, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley, Iowa. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com Margaret (Graham) Hromatko, was born November 21, 1931 in Payton, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Leola (Ladd) Graham and moved to Harris, Iowa at an early age with her parents and two siblings, Bill Graham and Rua (Graham) Egdorf. Margaret’s childhood was full of adventure, as she often recalled playing baseball “against the boys… and winning”, fishing the local lakes and ponds, or playing with neighborhood kids. Margaret fondly recalled her mother’s baking, saying the smell brought in all the neighbor kids from surrounding farms. Margaret was a fantastic baker herself, often creating her own original recipes served and enjoyed at family gatherings, including her infamous “turd” cookies. Margaret attended high school at Harris, Iowa where she graduated in 1949, she was later united in marriage to Leroy Hromatko, of Ocheyedan on April 25, 1954, later having four children – Steven, Michael, Kathy and of course, Danielle. She was a nurse’s aide at the Sibley Hospital for many years and later became a homeworker raising her children and supporting the family farm operation, gardening, running a bean walking crew of roughly 30 individuals in addition to a baby-sitting business. Margaret was a spectacular woman, not only raising her own kids, but helping to raise all the grandchildren in her family. Margaret’s feisty and fun personality was enjoyed by all. As a grandchild writing this, I often recall you did not cross Grandma at Grandma’s house - when phrases like “get over here, you kids”, “alright, you hoodlums”, “what in Sam Hill are you doing over there,” and “what in tarnation,” you knew Grandma meant business! Margaret was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings fan, even though the Vikings never won the big game, she always supported them. She attended every one of her kid’s sporting events and was their biggest fan. She was known and loved throughout the Ocheyedan and Harris communities and even beyond. Margaret passed away on May 3, 2023. Those left to cherish her memories are her son Mike and spouse Janet, daughter Kathy, daughter Danielle, daughter in-law Donna, sister Rua and brother Bill, her grandchildren; Jamie, Trisha, Chris, Daniel, Jenni, Alan, Rachel, Shane, Tyler and Ethan and her great grandchildren; Peyton, Kailye, Brock, Camilla, Drake, Sutton, Isabella, Julia, Maverick, Kirsten, Finley, including all other family members united through marriage. She was preceded in death by her husband Leroy, parents John and Leola, son Steven, father in-law John, mother in-law Fern and brother in-law Lester.

Margaret Lorene Hromatko

November 21, 1931 - May 3, 2023