Frances Blakestad -- Albert Lea
Apr 20, 2018Tuesday, April 3, at St. Theodore Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 10 a.m. Father Kurt Farrell will officiate. Interment will be at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 2, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the start of service Tuesday at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.Frances died Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems — Albert Lea.Frances Marcia Blakestad was born Dec. 27, 1928, in Owatonna, the daughter of Joseph and Dorothy (Houdek) Renchin. She grew up near Hayfield and graduated from Hayfield High School. After graduation, she attended beauty school.On Nov. 14, 1949, Fran was united in marriage to Irvin ‘Roger’ Engen in Hayfield. To this union, one son was born. Roger died in 1951, as a result of a plane crash.On Dec. 27, 1952, she was united in marriage to Roger Blakestad at St. Theodore’s. To this union, three daughters were born.Fran worked as a beautician for 69 continuous years at various nursing homes and a shop in her basement, until the time of her passing. She was a member of St. Theodore’s, where she had been active in guild, and a past member of the Eagles. Fran loved the outdoors, especially her flowers and gardening, cleaning her home, reading, and solving puzzles.Fran is survived by her children, John (Susan) Engen, Carol Blakestad, Cathy (Curt) Rebelein, and Cindy (Roger) Beinhorn; grandchildren, Melissa (Shane) Engen-Bundy, John Mickelson, Shane (Suzie) Engen, Jason (Jennifer Wickett) Engen, Sheena (Jeremy) Otto, Trisha (Chuck Deye) Blakestad, Curt Jr. (Beth) Rebelein, Chris (Kala) Rebelein, Catie (Eric) Kirkholm, Tim (Kelsey Perry) Beinhorn, and Becky (Cory) Rislov; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Theresa Kasper, Margaret Koziolek, Alice Arnold, and Rosemary Besch; sister-in-law, JoAnne Williamson; brothers-in-law, Vernon Ginder and Ronald (Bonnie) Rasmussen; and many nieces and nephews.Fran w... (Post-Bulletin)
