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Elvira “Vera” Augusta Fruetel

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Service Information

Elvira “Vera” Fruetel, age 91, of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, at St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017, 11:00 A.M. at Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, with interment following at the Lester Prairie City Cemetery in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 19, 2017, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, and will continue Saturday from 10:00-10:45 A.M. prior the service at the church.

Visitation/Gathering
Prairie Community Church
700 1st Avenue N
Lester Prairie, MN
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Service
Prairie Community Church
700 1st Avenue N
Lester Prairie, MN
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Funeral Chapel
Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel
23 Fir Street
Lester Prairie, MN 55354
Phone:(320) 864-3737
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Cemetery
Lester Prairie City Cemetery
Lester Prairie, MN
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Obituary

Elvira “Vera” Augusta (Benkowski) Fruetel was born on May 12, 1926, in Carver County, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Ewald and Augusta (Klaustermeier) Benkowski.  Vera was baptized as an infant on May 23, 1926, by Rev. Herman Am End at Zion Lutheran Church in Benton Township, Cologne, Minnesota, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 17, 1940, by Rev. Stahlke at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  She received her education in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, graduating with the Class of 1944. 

On November 24, 1945, Vera was united in marriage to Virgil Fruetel by Rev. R. A. Ritz at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  Vera and Virgil made their home on a farm in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  Their marriage was blessed with five children, Mary Lou, Cheryl, Diane, Michael and Jerry.  Vera and Virgil shared over 47 years of marriage, until Virgil passed away on March 27, 1993.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Vera worked with Virgil in every aspect of the farm.  She also worked at Green Giant in Glencoe, Minnesota and did house cleaning for other families.  She was an active member at Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie, where she served on the Women’s Guild being the president for many years, and was a Sunday school teacher. 

Vera enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, canning, baking, being known for her bread, fishing, gardening, and playing cards.  Staying in touch with others was very important to Vera and she loved visiting with her friends and family, always having time for each.

Vera passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, at St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years and 3 days.

Blessed be her memory.

Vera is survived by her:
Daughters, Mary Lou Fruetel of Hutchinson, MN,
Cheryl Martin and her husband, Gene, of Belle Plaine, MN,
Diane Hoen and her husband, Herbert, of Lester Prairie, MN;
Grandchildren, Richard Martin and his wife, Jill, of Belle Plaine, MN,
Troy Hoen and his fiancé, Lindy, of Lester Prairie, MN,
Tina Arneson and her husband, Eric, of Buffalo, MN,
Tricia Hoen of Lester Prairie, MN,
Vanessa Betker and her husband, Kris, of Hutchinson, MN,
Jeffrey Fruetel of Lester Prairie, MN,
Angela Zellmann of Lester Prairie, MN;
Great Grandchildren, Nevaeh Dolsen, Ava Betker, Ellie, Ethan and Emma Martin, Stephen Arneson;
Sister, Lillian Dammann of Lester Prairie, MN;
Step Sister, Arlaine Schiebe of Elk River, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Sonja Fruetel of Cosmos, MN;
Brothers-In-Law, Ed LaMott of Silver Lake, MN,
Orlin Graupmann of Glencoe, MN,
Ralph Fruetel of Silt, CO;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Vera is preceded in death by her Parents, Ewald and Augusta Benkowski; Husband, Virgil Fruetel; Father and Mother-in-law, Edward and Stella Fruetel; Step Father, August Kruschke; Sons, Jerry Fruetel, Michael Fruetel; Granddaughter, Baby Girl Hoen; Sisters, Dorothy LaMott, Ella Graupmann; Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Wilmer Dammann, Mildred and Harold Feltmann, Elmer and Rosella Fruetel, Gilbert and Rosie Fruetel, Leslie and Helen Fruetel, Howard “Pat” and Elaine Fruetel, Marcella Fruetel, Wilferd and Phyllis Fruetel, Leonard Fruetel, Elaine Fruetel; Step Family, Ervin Kruschke, Germaine and Elvin Beaudry, Marvin and Lydia Kruschke, Gilbert and Ethel Kruschke, Loren Schiebe.

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon (Wolter) Beneke says

    May 19, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    So sorry for the Fruetel family in the passing of your Mom. Hopefully the great memories will carry you through this difficult time. Prayers to all of you.

    Reply
  2. alan teubert says

    May 19, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    Herb and Diane- our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your saddest hours
    Al and Joan Teubert

    Reply
  3. Eugene Rennells says

    May 21, 2017 at 11:46 am

    I am sorry to hear of Vera’s passing.

    Eugene Rennells

    Reply

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