Margaret Elizabeth (Benjamin) Hornstein, the daughter of Albert and Lola (Michals) Benjamin was born in the rural McHenry County, North Dakota home of her parents on March 15, 1926.  She died at the age of 90 years on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Margaret was reared in the home of her parents and attended a country school near her home, completing her education at the Upham High School.  On November 28, 1943, she was united in marriage to Gordon E. Pfau.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Minot until 1953 when they moved to Rugby, where Gordon took a mechanic position with M.J. McGuire Auto.  Sadly, at the age of 32, Gordon died on March 10, 1957, leaving Margaret a widow with five children.  On November 5, 1958, Margaret was united in marriage to Paul Hornstein and to this union, three children were born.  The couple made their home in Rugby until they later dissolved their marriage in 1978.  Margaret then made her home in Minot for several years before returning to Rugby.  She was a long-standing member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rugby and a member of the Minot Moose Lodge Auxiliary.  She loved to dance, bowling league, playing bingo and an avid fan the Minnesota Twins.

Margaret is survived by her children, Dennis Pfau of Fargo, Wes (Sue) Pfau of Superior, WI, Marsha (Donn) Rau of Fargo, Wanda (Ron) Kremer of Balta, David (Paula) Hornstein of Pueblo, CO, Donovan (Lori) Hornstein of Hayden, CO and Jayne Hornstein of Minot; a son-in-law, Steve Ripplinger of Devils Lake; 24 grandchildren;47great-grandchildren; a sister, Loretta (Hank) Vannett of Bismarck; a brother, Curt Benjamin of Minot; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon; a daughter, Phyllis (Pfau) Ripplinger; two grandchildren, Debbie Pfau and Steven Ripplinger Jr.; two brothers, Leo and Bob Benjamin; two sisters, Lucille Searcy and Gladys “Babe” Iverson; best friend and companion of 20 years, George Nechiporenko; and her parents.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rugby with spring burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.  Pastor Joshua Reimche, officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with a time of prayer and sharing of memories beginning at 7 p.m., facilitated by Father Brian Bachmeier in the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of service on Wednesday in the church.