Muriel Eileen Cadwell

Muriel Cadwell, age 98, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully and under the care of hospice on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at her home. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception for attendees will follow at the church. Private interment will be held at a later date in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will conclude with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. followed by a time to share memories. Visitation will continue one hour prior to her celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, at the church.

Muriel Eileen Norwood was born at home on their farm in Redwood Country, south of Milroy, Minnesota, to Hilton Sherman and Florence (Castle) Norwood on November 21, 1927, 2 days after a snowstorm. Her Grandma Castle had come by sleigh, and Dr. Valentine had come by car early to be on time. At 3 months of age, Muriel and her family moved to Clifton township where they settled on the “Powell Place”. She went to country school in District 50 for grades 1-3 and then moved to Stanley Township where she finished school in District 16 through grade 8. She attended high school in Marshall and gave a speech as Salutatorian of the Class of 1945. At age 17, Muriel attended Mankato State Teacher’s College for 2 years. From there she taught elementary school in Russell for 2 years (Grades 2-3), Buffalo Lake – 1 year (Grade 3), and Lamberton for 4 years (Grades 3-4).

It was in Russell that she met her future husband, Arthur Cadwell, when, as a senior at the school, he delivered lunches to the elementary teachers. Muriel and Art were engaged in 1952 before he left for 2 ½ years in the Air Force serving in Japan. They were married April 3,1954, when he returned from Japan. After being stationed in Empire, Michigan, for 5 months until his discharge from the Air Force, Muriel and Art returned to Stanley Township near Marshall where they lived and farmed until 1966 with Muriel’s parents. The couple then bought a nearby farm where they lived until moving to Marshall in 2018.

Muriel was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Wesley United Methodist Church (now Cornerstone) in Marshall. Throughout the years, she was an active member – teaching Sunday School, directing Sunday School Christmas programs, and serving in various positions including president of the Woman’s Society of United Methodist Women. Beginning in 1985, she and Art joined the Oasis Bible Study group that built lifelong friendships and became a source of support for many years.

Despite suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome her entire life, Muriel remained very active in all aspects of her life. She was a dedicated mother to her 4 daughters and was a busy farm wife, including raising chickens and keeping a very large garden. When the girls were all in school, Muriel taught one year in Milroy and did extensive substitute teaching and tutoring in local schools until 1995.

She was a 4-H leader, a member of Farm Bureau, and Order of the Eastern Star. Her hobbies were oil painting, researching family history, making Christmas cards, stamping other cards, and various other craft projects. Even at age 98, she was found “painting” her cards with colored pencils, making sure she had the right shade of color. If she received a visit, card, or letter from someone, they were sure to receive a hand-colored card from her shortly thereafter.

Muriel and Art enjoyed dancing over the years. They were members of a square-dancing group with her dad, Sherman, and continued dancing frequently at the Valentine “Chocolate Affair” in Minneota, Minnesota, and the “Back to the Blue Moon” dances. Their last dance in Minneota was in 2018 when she was 90 years old.

Muriel loved staying connected with family and friends. She loved hosting family gatherings at the farm including grandkids summer visits, family reunions, birthday parties, and making “just” home cooked meals whenever people dropped in. Muriel and Art enjoyed traveling “up north with us kids” (including one camping trip to Itasca), to Michigan, out west to Idaho and California. They even took most of the grandkids to the Black Hills for a week. They often hosted overnight visitors, including 2 young men from Japan and a young woman from Brazil who became “family”. Their trip to Brazil to see their Brazilian daughter was an adventure she cherished. These connections were very important to her, and she maintained contact with each one through handwritten letters and cards, even after her stroke in 2022. Cards and letters she received were a cherished part of Muriel's days until her death.

Surrounded by her loved ones, Muriel Cadwell passed into the arms of Jesus on September 17, 2026, at her home in Marshall, Minnesota. She reached the age of 98 years, 9 months, and 27 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her 4 daughters, Janna (Craig) Cobb of Sioux Falls, SD, Maureen (Bruce) Stemme of St. Paul, Leanne Chesler of San Diego, CA, Denise (Aaron) Buesing of St. Paul; their “Brazilian daughter”, Nancy (Ariel) Carvalho of Belo Horizonte, Brazil; grandchildren, Karen (Jeff) Kennedy, Mark (Dionne) Chesler, Matt (Trang) Chesler, Mandi (Brian) Hicks, Ehren Stemme, Ryan (Angie) Stemme, Nicholas (Jennie) Cobb, Heather Ferriere, Emily (Jesse) Lantgen, Eduardo (Brianna) Carvalho, Felipe (Marie-Jeanne) Carvalho, Austin (Rachel Beckwith) Stemme, Seth Buesing; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Muriel was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Cadwell; parents, Hilton Sherman and Florence Norwood; brother, Ronald (Betty) Norwood; son-in-law, Harvey Chesler; and great-grandson, Colton Kennedy.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at Heritage Pointe Senior Living for the wonderful care they provided Muriel over the last 4 years and especially in her final weeks. Their compassion, kindness, and love were truly a blessing to her and the family is deeply grateful for all they did to support Muriel and her loved ones.