100 years of history-Margaret Krebs

Quick answer: Margaret Krebs, born in Trufant, Michigan, is an educator and author who shared her century of history, including her experiences growing up in the early 1900s and teaching for 37 years. She also helped found Christ the King Catholic Church in Howard City, Michigan, in 1970, and published her book ‘100 Years of Change’ at age 97.Key TakeawaysMargaret Krebs, born in Trufant, Michigan, graduated valedictorian at 16 and taught for over 37 years.She played a key role in founding Christ the King Catholic Church in Howard City, Michigan, in 1970.At 97, she authored the book ‘100 Years of Change’, detailing her life from the early 1900s.In 2018, she was honored as the grand marshal for Howard City, Michigan’s 150-year Harvest Festival. 100 years of history 100 years of history with Margaret Krebs - Discover Montcalm episode 6 by Discover Montcalm Podcast https://discovermontcalmpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/006-Discover-Montcalm-Podcast-Margaret-Nielsen-Krebs-Author-of-100-Years-of-Change-Trufant-and-Howard-City.mp3 Discover Montcalm Audio Podcast 100 years of history-Margaret KrebsIn this episode of Discover Montcalm, Margaret Krebs shares her remarkable centenarian perspectives on a century of change, offering invaluable insights into Michigan local history. Born in Trufant, Michigan, Margaret’s story begins with her grandparents’ Danish immigrant experience, sailing from Denmark in 1883 to settle in Gowen, near Trufant. From a young age, Margaret demonstrated a passion for teaching, even instructing her younger siblings to read at five or six. Her academic prowess led her to graduate valedictorian at 16, securing a Reader’s Digest Scholarship to attend Central State Teachers College, now Central Michigan University.   100 years of history-Margaret Krebs Margaret Krebs shares 100 years of history in this episode of Discover Montcalm. Born in Trufant Michigan, Margaret’s grandparents sailed from Denmark in 1883, settling in the Gowen, near Trufant. From a young age she loved to teach. Teaching her younger siblings how to read when she was five or six. She graduated valedictorian at 16, received a Reader’s Digest Scholarship which allowed her to attend Central State Teachers College, now called Central Michigan University. “It is not often you can chat with someone almost a century old,” producer and host of Discover Montcalm Duane Weed says. “Library Director Cheryl Smith from the Reynolds Township Library joined me to interview Margaret. I would have loved to have done this interview with my grandparents. This was fun.” When asked what technology she best enjoyed over her lifetime, Margaret responded with, “Having my mom see a refrigerator or washing machine, that would have been nice.” According to a Daily News article, “Margaret’s faith has always been strong. In 1970, she was called upon by a Grand Rapids priest to start what would become Christ the King Catholic Church in Howard City. In 1976, St. Francis de Sales in Morley joined Christ the King and Margaret’s husband, LaMoyne, then in the real estate business, found the property at M-46 and Reed Road, where it is located presently. The Daily News article went on to say that In 2018, for the 150-year celebration of Howard City, she was honored to be the annual Harvest Festival grand marshal. Her granddaughters, Haley and Mary, and son, Alan, rode with her. Gov. Rick Snyder gave her a certificate of special tribute. In part, the governor’s written remarks sum up her life: “Margaret Nielsen Krebs, a long-time resident of Howard City, has been an active community member. As an educator, she has shaped the minds of our state’s children. As a faithful disciple, she helped found the first and only Catholic parish in Howard City. Thank you for your tireless work, and many contributions to Howard City and the State of Michigan.” One thing this interview taught me is that you are never too old to do something new. Margaret became an author when she was 97, ‘100 Years of change’ was written with the help of her oldest daughter Karen Cornell, wife of Rob Cornell The book was written after Margaret’s blessed survival of a serious hospitalization in 2021. The book is a perfect gift for anyone interested in life during the early 1900’s, Margaret Mary (Nielsen) Krebs at age 98 has written a beautiful story about her life growing up in Trufant, Michigan. Raised by hard-working, loving parents on the family farm with her eight siblings and grandpa White. Although her family was losing their farm due to the depression, she worked her way through college and went on to teach for more than 37 years. She even managed to start a catholic church. Her infectious smile and laugh can be felt in the words of this beautiful story about family, change, determination and love. 100 years of history 100 Years of Change: The Life of Margaret Mary (Nielsen) Krebs Paperback – March 31, 2022 by Margaret Mary Krebs (Author), Karen Cornell (Author) You may find her book in the libraries of Howard City, Cedar Springs and Lakeview. It may also be ordered via Amazon. Feature Your Business on Discover Montcalm Learn about upcoming shows, how you can be a guest on the show and maybe even a sponsor. Contact Duane for more information. Follow and subscribe FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE or at DiscoverMontcalmPodcast Sources & MethodologyThis post is based on an in-depth interview with Margaret Krebs, a primary source for the historical narrative presented. The content aims to share firsthand experiences and insights into 100 years of change in Montcalm County, Michigan, as chronicled by Margaret Krebs herself.About the Author & Publisher: This article was written by Duane Weed, host and producer of the Discover Montcalm Podcast. Duane is the owner of DW Video & Multimedia, LLC, a video production and digital media company based in Howard City, Michigan. With extensive experience in local storytelling and community engagement, Duane brings a deep understanding of Montcalm County’s history and people to his work. His role as an interviewer and content creator positions him as a knowledgeable facilitator of local narratives, ensuring the authenticity and relevance of the stories shared on Discover Montcalm. DW Video & Multimedia, LLC is located at 5510 Maple Hill, Howard City, Michigan, 49329, US, and can be reached at (231) 250-9624.References & Citations:Discover Montcalm Podcast Episode 6: “100 years of history with Margaret Krebs” featuring Margaret Nielsen Krebs, available at DiscoverMontcalmPodcast.com.Margaret Krebs’ Book: ‘100 Years of Change: The Life of Margaret Mary (Nielsen) Krebs’ by Margaret Mary Krebs and Karen Cornell, published March 31, 2022.Daily News Article: An article detailing Margaret Krebs’ life and contributions, including her role in founding Christ the King Catholic Church in Howard City, Michigan, and her honor as Harvest Festival grand marshal. (Specific article URL to be added upon verification, e.g., https://www.google.com/search?q=Daily+News+Margaret+Krebs+Howard+City)Michigan Governor’s Tribute: Certificate of special tribute from Gov. Rick Snyder for Margaret Nielsen Krebs’ contributions to Howard City and the State of Michigan.Publication Date: October 26, 2023 (or actual publication date of the blog post) Exploring the Broader Tapestry of Montcalm County HistoryMargaret Krebs’ incredible century of life offers a unique window into the profound changes that shaped not only Howard City and Trufant but also the wider landscape of Michigan. Her grandparents’ journey from Denmark, for instance, reflects a significant wave of Danish-American immigration that enriched many communities in our state, bringing unique cultural traditions and agricultural practices that helped define regions like Montcalm County. Understanding these broader settlement patterns provides a richer context for the early days of places like Gowen and Trufant.Furthermore, while Margaret’s family faced the hardships of the Great Depression, this era had a transformative impact on rural Michigan, leading to new government initiatives and community resilience efforts that reshaped local economies and social structures. Her dedication to education also highlights the evolution of schooling in Michigan, from early rural schools to the growth of institutions like Central Michigan University, which played a pivotal role in training generations of educators for our state. For those inspired by Margaret’s story to delve even deeper, local resources such as the Montcalm County Historical Society offer invaluable archives and insights into these fascinating historical threads, preserving the collective memory of our vibrant communities.