Margaret Thoenen takes time to care for others

Margaret Thoenen
Margaret Thoenen


Margaret Thoenen and her late husband have always held an active part in the community.

As a broker-salesperson at Action Realty, she uses her compassion for others to help people find homes to buy or rent and assists with finances if necessary, always taking their needs into consideration.

"I'm a people person, so that motivates me to come to work every day," she said. "I like working with people. It's just a good feeling to be able to help other people."

Thoenen recently received the annual Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award. Redemption Inside the Walls and News Tribune partnered to select five good Samaritans who have gone above and beyond to help Mid-Missouri.

Thoenen loves working with the public and is grateful for her employees, occasionally providing an appreciation luncheon to show it.

She has created jobs for people who could not find one or that needed extra income, and she is always appreciative of everything and everyone, treating them with the utmost kindness and expecting nothing in return.

"I've been blessed, and I think that gives me a gratification to help out other people," she said.

Despite working full time in the real estate office and being the president of Lawrence Thoenen Homebuilders, Thoenen manages to find time to help others in any way she can.

Every morning, she wakes up at 5 a.m. and reads the News Tribune before heading to work. For the past 38 years, she has cut out the obituaries to make sure she sends sympathy cards to the families and doesn't miss a funeral or visitation. She also sends congratulatory cards to people who have won awards and thank you cards to those who have provided good service.

Every weekend, her goal is to visit a shut-in, whether it's a retirement home, hospital or neighbor. She often delivers meals to people who are homebound or sick and does many favors, giving people rides or any assistance they may need.

"It's just a satisfaction to me," Thoenen said. "I've always been a giver, not a taker. I have five younger brothers and sisters, so I've always been used to taking care of them and helping them. It's just something I've continued to do. And I like to see the rewards of helping people."

Even if it's out of her comfort zone, she can't say no.

For example, she helped a friend who was struggling with addiction turn her life around by visiting her in jail.

"It was just so rewarding to see that she was able to turn her life around and remarry and have a child," Thoenen said. "I've never been to a jail before, and I went and visited her in jail and brought her some books. It was so rewarding to see the results at the end knowing that I helped someone out."

The other four Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award recipients are Lisa Breedlove, Heather Gieck, Sherrie Downs and Erin Evans.

Related:

Good Samaritans recognized at Redemption Inside the Walls

Lisa Breedlove there for those in need

Erin Evans strives to help children in need

Sherrie Downs remains a caregiver through retirement

Heather Gieck uses past hardships to help others heal