Frances Edna Ingebritson

Frances Ingebritson, age 100, of Madelia passed away Saturday December 1, 2018, just 9 days short of 101 at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia. A celebration of her long and full life will be held at 11:30am April 27, 2019 at Our Savior Lutheran Church Winnebago with Rev. Adam Parvey officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery.

Franny was born December 10, 1917 in Swea City, IA to Peter and Ella (Ehlers) Helmke, one of five children. April 15, 1937, she married her love and lifelong partner Ben. Together they raised four daughters.

She was a school cook in Winnebago for many years and after Ben passed, she started working at the Winnebago Museum part-time, where she loved greeting the many visitors. For many years she and Ben spent summers in Ash River and winters in Islamorada, FL in the Marine business. She also enjoyed playing cards, attending confirmations, graduations and family weddings as well as traveling to Seattle and Albuquerque to visit family. She was the oldest member of Our Savior Luther Church in Winnebago, joining in 1951.

Franny is survived by her daughters; Inez (Charles) Swanson of Seattle, Bonita (Larry) Baarts of Northrup, Nancy (John) O’Malia of Albuquerque and Gayle (Bob) Fenske-Soma of Madelia. Nine grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ben, her parents, brother Art Claussen, sisters; Norma Aldrich, Inez Loge and Arlene Loge, grandsons David O’Malia and Mark Pettit, son-in-law Dean Fenske and her special friend Charlotte Olson.