The Inspiration:

 Margaret Heinen was born July 30th, 1933 to Martin and Anna Heinen in Krain Township, Stearns County, MN. She attended St. Anthony School while working on the family farm. Margaret eventually moved to St. Cloud where she worked at the hospital and the butcher shop. 

Louis Chock was born March 28th, 1929 to Theodore and Mary Chock in Avon, MN. He attended St. Anna Country School and received his diploma while serving in the US Army. Louis served from 1952 -1954 during the Korean War. He was a self-employed carpenter and worked in the trade until he was 80 years old. 

Louis and Margaret married April 10th, 1956 in St. Anthony, MN. They lived on a farm near Sobieski, MN and raised their 4 children: Joan, Debbie, Duane, and Ken. They loved going to church bazaars, enjoyed gardening, and going to the lake with their family. Margaret passed on April 9th, 1990 and Louis passed on May 24th, 2014. 

Margaret loved to bake. She would make two pies and a cake every weekend. There was always a treat in the house, whether it be cookies, cake, bars, pies, or Polish coffeecake. Louis’s favorites were pecan pie, oatmeal raisin cookies, and molasses cookies. Margaret’s favorite treats to bake were Christmas cookies.

The Baker:

Michelle Wagner grew up around the Little Falls, MN on a small hobby farm. After graduating high school, she attended the University of North Dakota, where she graduated from with a bachelor in entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, Michelle moved to Langdon, ND where she worked at the local hospital as the kitchen manager. In her spare time she would try new recipes to expand her portfolio, which lead her to bake for several weddings, special occasions, and expand her Christmas cookie baskets. Michelle married her husband Dustin in 2020, and they moved to Park Rapids, MN in summer of 2021. In her spare time, Michelle likes to craft, garden, and spend time with her family.