Marguerite Ruth Kause

Marguerite (Maggie) Bender Kause, 96, died in Annandale, Virginia, on June 26, 2026.

She was the second daughter of William and Myrtle Bender of Bemidji, Minnesota. She, and her siblings Pat, Bill, and Cynthia, enjoyed a “free range” childhood, with many adventures on or near Lake Bemidji. She attended The Lab School at Bemidji College and Bemidji High School. With Mrs. Budge, her piano teacher, she kept a rigorous daily practice schedule and competed in piano competitions at the state level. Maggie also sang in local church choirs and became an accomplished accompanist. Attending the University of Minnesota, Duluth, she graduated with a BA degree in Music Education in 1952. Maggie taught students music in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Denver, Colorado. She only gave it up because Elvis was beginning to be the only thing anybody wanted to listen to!

A yen for travel and adventure encouraged her to apply to the “Special Services” which supplied people to support troops at American bases in Occupied Europe. They told her they didn’t need music teachers but they needed an enlisted club manager. And off she went to Germany where she helped young enlisted men to stay out of trouble by throwing parties and dances and offering other wholesome activities. She was able to travel throughout Germany (yes, divided Berlin, too!), the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Italy and England!

She met the love of her life in Germany, Lt. Kaye Kause, and after several years of courtship they married on April 10, 1958 and honeymooned in Monaco and Spain. Kaye’s military career took them back to the United State where they four children Lisa, Chuck, Mike, and Tim were born at two different Army bases. After she raised her young family, Maggie opened a piano studio in the basement of their family home and taught many young people piano. Unlike her early piano experience, she encouraged her students to play for “fun,” and taught popular music as well as classical music. Maggie also taught music to junior high schoolers at the International School, Bangkok while the family was stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, 1972-1974. Back in Vienna, Virginia, she also taught music in several Vienna preschools. It was then she was asked to accompany the St. Mark’s Children’s Choir, which she did for many years. Once Kaye retired from the Army, he ushered and Maggie accompanied at the first mass of Sunday morning.

As a young Mom, Maggie fell in love with the sound of American barbershop music and joined the Sweet Adelines. She eventually earned her 60-year membership pin and loved singing “Bass”—lowest female voice—in the Vienna-Falls Choir. She competed fiercely in their regional and international competitions as well as the local shows and free sings. Her choir was two times Sweet Adeline champions. As a proud American of Norwegian ancestry, she joined the local Sons of Norway Washington Lodge 3-428 to travel to Norway and served for many years as Lodge Musician and chairman of the baking committee at the annual Lodge Christmas Bazar. (She taught herself Norwegian baking!)

She travelled with Kaye to New Zealand and Alaska, before his death in 2006. Maggie’s last international trip was in 2019 at age 89 with Lisa. They went on pilgrimage to Ireland.

She is survived by her 4 children: Lisa, Chuck, Mike, and Tim; and six grandchildren: Maggie, Eric, Tori, Maddi, Jenni, and Evan. She has one great-grandson, Liam.

Her Mass of Resurrection will be at St. Mark Catholic Church, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Visitation at the Church 11:00am to 12:00pm. Mass at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.