Margaret "Peggy" North

Margaret "Peggy" North, M.D., of Rochester, died May 30, 2024 at home, surrounded by family, at the age of 70 of complications of colon cancer.

She was born in Williston, ND on March 19, 1954 to Alan Johnson, M.D., and Inga (Haugen) Johnson, the youngest of three children. She graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with a bachelor's degree in zoology and went on to receive her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She completed her residency in dermatology at the University of Illinois-Chicago, and went on to practice as a board-certified dermatologist at the Wichita Clinic in Wichita, KS.

While in Kansas she met her husband, Frederick "Fred" North, M.D.; they married in 1989. They practiced together at Internal Medicine Specialists in Hutchinson, KS for several years. During their time in Kansas they welcomed three children. After moving to Rochester, MN in 2003 she practiced dermatology at Olmsted Medical Center before her retirement in 2017. Unfortunately, within a week of her retirement she was diagnosed with colon cancer, for which she was treated for over six and a half years before entering home hospice at the beginning of May of this year.

Peggy was known for her determination as she persevered through chemotherapy every other week for several years. She walked miles a day in her hilly neighborhood through any weather until the few months preceding her death, and biked often on the Douglas Trail with Fred. She was a proponent of education and the democratic process, and tutored elementary school students in reading and served as an election judge. She loved and always appreciated the natural beauty of Minnesota, and was skilled in baking, particularly her chocolate chip cookies and cheesecakes. Above all she was a caring and devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend and she will be greatly missed.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and sister Nancy. She is survived by her husband Fred; her three children, Emily, Joe, and Andy (fiancée Kacie); her brother Bob (wife Judy); and six nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Salvation Army or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday June 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal PL NW, Rochester, MN), visitation will be Monday June 3,2024 from 5-7 PM at the Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the North family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com