Margaret Magdalen Karcher

Margaret Karcher, 91, wife of Carls Jr. restaurant chain founder Carl Karcher, died today in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she was undergoing treatment for cancer. Her husband of 66 years was at her side.

Margaret was one of 15 children. Born in (Big River) Wisconsin, she grew up in Anaheim, CA. where her parents grew oranges. She met Carl, a bakery deliveryman, at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They were then married at that location in 1939. They made their first home in Los Angeles and noticed a growing number of hot dog stands on the streets. They took out a $311 loan on their Plymouth Super Deluxe, to which they added $15 cash from Margaret's purse, and bought one stand. It was so successful, they bought more stands and in 1944, moved to Anaheim, where they opened Carl's Drive-In Barbeque on North Palm Street the following year. Nine years later, 2 Carl's Junior restaurants opened; eventually expanding to more than 1,000 restaurants in the chain; mostly in the western and southwestern USA. The orange grove, on which Margaret grew up, eventually became the site of Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc.

Margaret was a loving – and highly organized – mother of 12 who carefully and gently shepherded her children through both the practical and spiritual aspects of their lives. It was a house full of fun, laughter and friends. But amid all the hubbub, Margaret kept Carl at the center of her life. As soon as he came home from work, they sat together on the patio or in the living room to share the events of the day.

In addition to her long involvement with St. Boniface Church, Margaret was a member of the Anaheim Women's Chamber of Commerce, Damas de Caridad, Las Campanas, Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge and the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Angels of the Arts. She also served on the board of Carl Karcher Enterprises and was involved in many local philanthropic organizations.
Margaret is survived her husband, Carl; by 11 of her children (being predeceased by her daughter, Carleen, in 1993), 51 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.

A public vigil service was held June 7, 2006 with a funeral mass the following day; both at St. Boniface Catholic Church in downtown Anaheim.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 12 2022, 5:12:36 UTC