Frances Kersting

Frances E. Kersting, age 104, of Twin Valley, MN, formerly of Waubun, MN, died on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Twin Valley Living Center. Frances Eleanor was born December 1, 1910 to parents Matt and Anna (Witasek) Chloupek. Frances was the youngest of five, born just 2 lbs. at birth. Her long life started with her parents placing her in a shoe box in the oven which was used an incubator. Frances lived at the Chloupek homestead and went to Mahnomen High School, living in a boarding room in the harsh winter to save travel to/from the farm house. She graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1929. She then went to Moorhead State Teachers College, one of six teacher’s colleges in the State of Minnesota back in the early 1930s. She went on to teach at Hart Country School in rural Mahnomen County. Frances married Gerhard Kersting in May 31, 1938, and they resided in Waubun where she had begun her long career teaching in the Waubun school district; she taught Grade 5 & 6 until she was well in her 70s. Over the years, Frances and Gerhard were both active members of the Waubun community. The couple was long-time members of St. Ann Catholic Church. Frances loved to bake and crochet beautiful tablecloths and blankets. She continued to live in Waubun after the death of Gerhard in 1986, learning to drive a car and get her license around age 78. Frances lived in her house in Waubun until the Normandy Apartments were built in Twin Valley, MN. She moved to the Normandy in 1999 and lived there for over 13 years. In 2013, Frances moved into the Twin Valley Living Center where she has made her home since. Frances is survived by her granddaughters, Joanne Freudenthaler and Suzanne (James) Shuck; and great grandchildren: Greg, Jessie, and Matt Freudenthaler, and AnnaMarie and Andrew Shuck. She is also survived by her niece, Yvonne and close friend and caregiver, Linda Dahlen; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George and William; and sisters, May Martin and Dorothy Kerstin; her husband, Gerhard Kersting; and daughters: Diane Folkert, Marjorie, and infant MaryAnn who died at birth. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery, Waubun.

Frances Kersting

December 1, 1910 - January 14, 2015