Margaret Koehnemann: Partnership, Resilience, and Community Service

Updated on: August 4, 2025

Basic Information

Early Life and Lasting Bond

Margaret Koehnemann was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 12, 1968, to educators and community activists. Her success in local youth programs, especially theater and volunteer work, prepared her for a career of leadership and compassion. She had emotional difficulty from a first marriage that produced three children (BR, Stephen, and Adriane) before becoming close friends with Ryne Sandberg in the early 1990s.

Their connection grew quietly through friends and neighborhood activities. They married in a small ceremony with fewer than fifty guests on August 19, 1995, signifying their desire for solitude over exposure. Margaret and Ryne’s marriage survived professional athletics, blended families, and public scrutiny for decades, becoming an example of enduring partnership.

Blended Family Life

Margaret’s family expanded significantly upon her marriage to Ryne Sandberg. Their household brought together:

The couple welcomed eleven grandkids, creating a vibrant multigenerational network. After moving from suburban Chicago to Lake Bluff, Illinois, in 2016, Margaret organized annual reunions, seasonal baseball clinics, and milestone celebrations for their five children, their wives, and grandkids.

Margaret step-parented with sensitivity and structure. She held weekly “Family Council” dinners, discussing school achievements and community service goals. This practice encouraged open conversation and respect, allowing biological and stepchildren to share experiences and feel valued.

Philanthropy and Community Leadership

Margaret’s influence goes beyond motherhood and marriage. In 2005, she founded Ryno Kid Care, which provided mentorship, home-cooked meals, and recreational programming to approximately 300 families with children with illnesses for five years. Although the organization collapsed in 2010, its approach impacted similar efforts nationally.

Since 2019, Margaret has been a driving force behind the Ryne Sandberg/Illinois PGA Foundation Pro-Am, which has raised over $1.2 million for youth sports and community charities. She donates game-worn memorabilia to auction, hosts player events, and leverages her network to attract sponsors.

Local efforts in Lake Bluff further showcase her leadership:

• Phans Feeding Families (2014–Present): Organizer of annual food drives that distribute over 5,000 meals each year to under-resourced households.
• Lake Bluff Youth Baseball Clinics (2017–Present): Coordinator of seasonal skill-building camps attended by more than 200 children each summer.
• Family Reunions and Cultural Celebrations: Curator of holiday gatherings drawing over 80 relatives from across three states.

Margaret’s capacity to balance high-profile fundraisers with grassroots volunteerism underlines an expert understanding of effective community engagement.

Pillar During Health Trials

When Ryne Sandberg was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in January 2024, Margaret assumed the role of primary caregiver and advocate. She coordinated multidisciplinary treatment plans at Northwestern Medicine and led “Team Sandberg” updates to family and friends. Her efforts included:

Ryne called Margaret “my rock and Team Captain,” noting her involvement in his treatment compliance. Margaret balanced hospital vigils with family and community obligations during his second battle phase, showing tenacity.

Recent Developments and Legacy

On July 28, 2025, Ryne Sandberg passed away at age 61, surrounded by Margaret, their children, and grandchildren. In the days that followed:

• Public Memorials: A statue at Gallagher Way became a spontaneous shrine; Wrigley Field observed a 23-second silence on opening day after his passing.
• Tribute Events: Margaret joined Cubs executives on the field to accept a standing ovation, heralding her as a symbol of family strength amid public mourning.
• Charitable Plans: She announced the revival of select pediatric-wellness programs and intends to launch a prostate-cancer awareness fund bearing both their names.

Margaret is remembered for her loyal partnership, smooth leadership of a complex mixed family, and generosity. Through personal struggles and public tributes, she has shown compassion, determination, and skilled stewardship, ensuring her influence goes beyond “Ryno’s wife.”

FAQ

For what is Margaret Koehnemann famous?

Margaret Koehnemann is renowned as the devoted wife and caregiver of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, as well as a community leader and philanthropist.

How did Margaret meet Ryne Sandberg?

They became friends in Phoenix, Arizona, during the early 1990s and married on August 19, 1995, after a brief courtship.

What does Margaret’s blended family consist of?

Her blended family includes Ryne’s two children—Justin and Lindsey—and her three from a previous marriage—BR, Stephen, and Adriane—now joined by eleven grandchildren.

What philanthropic initiatives has Margaret led?

She co-founded Ryno Kid Care (2005–2010), helps run the Illinois PGA Foundation Pro-Am, and organizes local food drives and youth baseball clinics.

How has Margaret navigated Ryne’s health challenges?

Margaret served as Ryne’s primary caregiver and advocate through his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024, his August remission, and his December 2024 recurrence.

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