Mae Kersting

Mae Kersting, 101, Twin Valley, Minnesota, formerly Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Saturday, August 23, 2008, in the Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley. Mae H. Bakken Kersting, daughter of Halvor and Matilda (Wemark) Bakken, was born January 16, 1907 at Ridgeway, Iowa. When she was three years old, the family moved to Waubun, Minnesota, where they farmed. Mae attended Kings School for eight years. In 1920, her folks moved into Waubun so Mae and her brother Joe could attend high school. Mae graduated in 1925 and was in the Waubun celebration last summer for being the oldest living graduate. She then attended Moorhead State College where she got her two year teaching degree. She taught school at Fairview (Soo Pass), Montana, Scarville, Iowa, Huntley, Minnesota and Akeley, Minnesota, over a total of 11 years. Mae was united in marriage to Anthony Kersting on October 27, 1939, at Mahnomen, Minnesota. They farmed the Kersting farm until Anthony passed away in 1958. Mae was an active farm wife and kept busy with a garden and keeping the household going. In their married life, Mae and Anthony enjoyed dancing. Mae was involved with the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun teaching Sunday school and with Ladies Aid. She belonged to the Busy Bee Homemakers group and was a 4-H leader. In August 1960, Mae moved to Mahnomen and began working as an Assistant County Extension Agent for the University of Minnesota. She worked with the Native Americans in Mahnomen County and in Homemakers and 4-H. The home agent retired and she took over her work and wrote a weekly column in the Mahnomen Pioneer. She retired from that position in 1974. After her retirement, she kept busy belonging to the Mahnomen Library Club, First Lutheran Church Circles, Mahnomen County Historical Society, Cancer Society, Mahnomen County Hospital Auxiliary, Maubhe Council, DAC, as well as two homemaker groups. She was also chosen as Senior Citizen of the year in Mahnomen County in 1981 and represented Mahnomen County at the Minnesota State Fair. Mae liked to play cards and golf. She wintered in Arizona for several years. Mae traveled to Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Mae moved to the Normandy Apartments in Twin Valley in October, 1999 and to the Twin Valley Living Center in July, 2006. She liked to read the newspapers and watch the Minnesota Twins on TV. Mae is survived by one daughter, Karen Vosen (Ronnie) of Havre, Montana; one granddaughter, Jodi Kueffler (Andy) of Great Falls, Montana and two great-grandsons, Cory and Brady of Great Falls, Montana. She is also survived by two nieces and one nephew. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers and one sister. Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 29th at 11:00 AM in the First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Friday. Officiating will be Pastor Kristen Larsen-Schmidt with Diane Kochmann serving as organist and Lloyd Benson serving as vocalist. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Mae’s family and friends. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Memorials to people’s choice or Mahnomen Historical Society. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley, MN

Mae Kersting

January 16, 1907 - August 23, 2008