Winnie Moltzan, age 80, former Frazee, MN, resident, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2013, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN, surrounded by her family.
A memorial service for Winnie will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church with Pastor Brenda North officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Furey Funeral Home, Frazee, MN, with a prayer service to be held at 6:30. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Lunch will be served at the church following the service. Burial will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery in Frazee.
Winnie was born February 27, 1933, in Villard, MN, the 4th of 7 daughters born to Daniel and Sarah (Clarno) Moon. She grew up in Villard, eventually moving to Park Rapids, MN. Winnie worked at a resort near Park Rapids and then at Lakes Laundry in Detroit Lakes. She met a handsome navy man, Vernon Moltzan, in Detroit Lakes. The couple was united in marriage on March 10, 1953, at the Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church. The couple made their home in rural Frazee, buying the home they lived in for 45 year in 1956. The couple had 5 children: Roger, Peggy, Ruth, Lyle and Pam.
The couple owned and operated the Spruce Grove Dance Hall which they enjoyed for many years. Winnie then worked for Swift Turkey Plant for a number of years, and enjoyed 18 years of housekeeping at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.
Winnie enjoyed caring for her family and always kept busy. She loved to cook and bake, and can vegetables from her garden. She liked yard work and kept a very neat and tidy house. She and neighbor ladies got together for Hilltop Homemakers Club and Winnie also looked forward to the Saturday night Neighborhood Card Club whist games. She enjoyed the years of attending her children's school and sporting events and Winnie served as a 4-H leader for 24 years. She was very proud of her grandchildren and attended as many of their activities as she could. She loved bowling and often participated in out-of-town tournaments. She was a life-time member of the Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church where she attended regularly until her health declined and she was not able. She then continued nurturing her faith with some of her favorite church programs that she watched on TV. Her favorite church program aired on Sunday's at 11 a.m., and Winnie never missed it.
Recently, Vern and Winnie made their home in Clara City, MN, to be near their daughter Pam. Winnie remained in Clara City until the time of her passing. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Winnie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Vern of Clara City, MN; 3 children: Roger (LaVerne) Moltzan of Detroit Lakes, Ruth (Mike) Gendron of Hampton, Virginia, and Pam (Ed) Zurn of Raymond, MN; 5 grandchildren: Erica, Hope, Nathan, Maddy and Caitlin; 2 step-grandchildren: Joe and Matt; 4 step-great grandchildren; 1 great grandson expected to arrive in July; 2 sisters: Alice (Isel) Vangerud of Fargo, ND and Martha Probst of St. Louis Park, MN; 4 brothers-in-law: Leon Vangerud of Fargo, ND, Harold Bauer of Vadnais Heights, MN, Floyd "Butch" (LaVerne) Moltzan of rural Frazee, MN, and Jyles (Bernice) Moltzan of Moorhead, MN; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding her in death were her parents; 2 children: Peggy and Lyle; 4 sisters; and 2 brothers-in-law.
In lieu of flowers and memorial gifts, the family requests donations be made to the National Arthritis Foundation.