Frances Blakestad, 1928-2018

Published 1:00 am Saturday, March 31, 2018

Funeral services for Frances Marcia Blakestad, 89, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Theodore Catholic Church with a Rosary at 10 a.m. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the start of the service at the church Tuesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Frances Blakestad

Frances died Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System in 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. 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, 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 was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Irvin “Roger” Engen and Roger Blakestad; Carol’s special friend, Fred Hockenhull; siblings Dorothy (Bob) Virnig, David (Alleen) Renchin and Sylvia Ginder; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jim Kasper, Kenny Arnold, Francis Koziolek, Jerome Besch, LaVerne (Mae) Blakestad and Bernard Williamson; father-in-law, Irvin Engen; mother-in-law, Lillian Engen Rasmussen; stepfather-in-law, Ole Rasmussen; and father-in-law and mother-in-law Raymond and Tilleen Blakestad.