Dear Family -
I think of Margaret every year on March 22nd. She and I were classmates & friends at All Saints and our birthdays were back-to-back. And because of our last names, we usually sat near each other! I decided this year to see if I could find her contact info so as to send birthday greetings, and was so saddened to read of her passing in 2015. We lost contact after grade school, and it is amazing to read of her accomplishments and her loving family & friends. My heart goes out to you all. Love and prayers, Donna
Donna J. Loop
March 22, 2023
Dear Family.
I was so moved by Margaret's stellar musicianship as a graduate student in the woodwind area at the University of Iowa. In particular, was her performance with Mary Beth Shafer of the Prokofiev Flute Sonata. They both performed at a very high level musically and it was a very memorable performance. She was very determined, steadfast in pursuing high standards and it was a such a pleasure to serve on many faculty committees on her behalf. She was/is a very high class person. I learned of her passing while sitting next to her son at a School of Music recital and I asked him to tell me about himself. My heart changed when he told me about his mother. I told him that he could come to me whenever he wanted just to talk. She was one of the most talented students I mentored and an honor to know her. I will always remember her fondly. I send loving thoughts and prayers to your family.
Maurita Murphy Marx, Professor of Clarinet, Emeritus, University of Iowa
Maurita Murphy Marx
June 5, 2018
I am so very, very sad for your family's loss. I did not know Margaret other than through a few brief (friendly, thoughful, smiling) encounters related to the Kennedy High School Band. My daughter Claire always spoke so highly of Margaret - I know that she felt that "Mrs. Kegel" treated her with great kindness and warmth.
May your memories of the love you shared help you through the hardest days.
Stacey Pawlak
December 2, 2015
I'm blessed by Margaret's cheerfulness and wonderful attitude. She will be missed by many of us at Kennedy Band parents. Praying for God's comfort to her family.
Elsa Shauger (KENNEDY Color Guard mom)
November 24, 2015
The thoughts of our family is with yours. I have been a colleague of Jeralyn's for several years, and Hailey and Annette have been friends for almost as long. Annette spoke very highly of her aunt Margaret, and I'm sure she will be in her heart every time she picks up her flute. May memories of Margaret fill your thoughts and hearts in the coming days, and may blessings be with you all.
Tanna and Gene Korleski & Hailey
November 24, 2015
Margaret was one of the sweetest people we have ever known. She was so kind and thoughtful. Miranda took flute lessons for the past three years with Margaret and she learned so much from her. Margaret's students will take a little of her with them each time they perform because she has helped shape who they have become and who they will be in the future. We are forever grateful for the part she has played in our lives. Margaret will be dearly missed. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.
Tricia and Miranda Tendick
November 23, 2015
Margaret was such a wonderful lady. My son Garrett & Michael met in preschool. She always had a smile and kind words. I had just heard from her this March in an IM on Facebook. She told me of her challenges with her health and had also heard I too was having health problems. She was such a faithful person and said to put it into Gods hands! She also stated how very much she loved her family! She is now in Gods hands! My sincerest condolences!
Amy Bisenius
November 23, 2015
I remember Margaret as my daughter's private instructor for flute and I remember seeing her at various Kennedy Band events. Always a smile on her face, was so kind and taught so well. She will be missed and may she rest in peace.
Tom Easton
November 23, 2015
We were saddened to hear the news of Margaret's passing. She was such an inspirational person and wonderful teacher to my daughter, Kelly Hogan, who played flute and piccolo at Washington H.S. and at Univ. of Dubuque. Margaret taught Kelly in a short-time to play the piccolo beautifully, and encouraged her to practice, play, and find the right spot and take chances, wherever she might play. Her infectious smile and bubbly personality will be missed in our music world here. Her students know how special she was.
All I know, is heaven has one magnificent person and flute/piccolo player now.
Our sympathies to her family and friends.
Kathy Varney and Kelly Hogan
November 23, 2015
Margaret was such a bright light, we will all remember her wonderful playing and talents as a musician. Our boys both played the French Horn, so we would run into the Kegel family often at Honor Bands and All-State. Margaret had a great strength about her that I hope will carry her family through this terribly difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you David, Michael, and Allyson and the rest of your lovely family.
Laura, Bill, Marissa, & Eric Carson
November 22, 2015
Margaret was my daughter's flute instructor. My daughter was a 1st year flute student and Margaret took her under her wing and tought her from square one. She was so kind and patient with Sara. You will be deeply missed.
Lynn michalec
November 21, 2015
Ive been a colleague of Jeralyn's for many years and have heard so many good things about her loving sister Margaret. May God who sees your grieving heart and hears each tender prayer, be ever near to give you peace and keep you in his care. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Ann Ruske
November 21, 2015
I have known Margaret (Meg as she was known back then) since high school. She played flute in the Cedar Rapids Youth Symphony and I was in the horn section. I was from a small town and she was from Washington High School, but she always included me and made me feel welcome with the "Cedar Rapids crowd." Our friendship continued at the U of I School of Music, and on into careers, marriage, and children. She was an exemplary musician, teacher, a loving wife and mom, and a good friend to so, so many. I will miss her practical way of looking at things, her ability to problem-solve, her flute playing, her laugh, and most of all her friendship. My condolences to the Kegel family, we lost her way too soon; but take comfort in the knowledge that she is now praising her Savior in heaven.
Doreen Anderson
November 21, 2015
Our thoughts are with the Kegel Family. Margaret was such a nice and wonderful person, as well as a great music teacher. She did so much behind-the-scenes work with the Kennedy Girls Junior Cougar Basketball Program, which allowed Dave and I to start the program and coach the girls. She served on the board, managed our finances, kept expenses low, did our fundraising, and purchased & sized uniforms. She always absolutely awesome. She will be missed by many.
Kelly Steele
November 21, 2015