Kyriaki Magaritsidis

Kyriaki (Koula) Magaritsidis, 95, of Rochester, MN, passed away on March 18, 2024 at her home.

Kyriaki (Koula) Davi Magaritsidis was born in Kythera, Greece on December 24, 1927.

Koula, one of five children, experienced many hardships, including the Greek depression and World War II under occupation. After a turbulent childhood on the island, the family moved to Athens where relatives found work for Koula as a seamstress in Greece's royal residence under King Pavlos and Queen Frideriki.

In her twenties, Koula opened a dry-cleaning business, she was a woman ahead of her time and an entrepreneur. She met and married George Magaritsidis, a tailor, and started a family in a suburb of Athens.

Koula and her two daughters, Maria and Eleni, joined George 2 years after he had immigrated to the United States in 1968. They dedicated their time to Saints Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church, George as a cantor and member of AHEPA, and Koula to Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope. Koula worked at the Kahler Hotel making salads where she learned to speak English. A few years later, George and Koula established George's Tailor Shop. They worked tirelessly for 35 years building a beautiful life for their family while spending summers in their home in Pasio, Kiato, Greece.

Shortly after, George was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was paralyzed from the waist down. Koula devoted her time to caring for her ailing husband for two years.

Koula's face would light up when she talked about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She adored them all!!

We are very grateful to Heartland Hospice, especially to nurse Yolanda, for her care and compassion.

Koula is survived by her daughters Maria Pasalis, Eleni (Nick) Banis, grandchildren Vasiliki (Darren) Peper, Kyriaki (Marios) Pasalis, Maria (Theodore) Adamos, and George (Christina) Banis, great grandchildren Konstantinos Sedgwick, Dimitrios Kollias, Athina Vaia, and Nektarios Pavlos Adamos, and sister Eleftheria Moustakas.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas and Damianos Orthodox Church (703 W Center St, Rochester, MN 55902). Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl. NW, Rochester, MN 55901) with the Trisagion at 5 pm. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Philoxenia Charities, 703 W. Center St. Rochester, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Magaritsidis family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com