Fern Kantrud

Fern M. "Toots" Kantrud, age 88, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Wednesday evening, August 17th, 2011, at Sanford South University, Fargo, ND. Fern was born April 3, 1923, the daughter of Zelma (Mathis) and Leonard Johnson, on the family farm in Dunn Township, Otter Tail County, MN. Fern was baptized and confirmed at St. James Episcopal Church in Fergus Falls, MN. She attended country grade school and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1940. On April 24, 1941, Fern was united in marriage to Carl A. Kantrud at St. James Episcopal Church and, except for military time away from home, the couple lived their entire lives in the Pelican Rapids area. Besides raising three children, Fern enjoyed working at West Central Turkeys for sixteen years. In their retirement years, Fern and Carl spent twenty-seven winters in southern states but always came home to their retirement home on Lake Lida. Carl passed away in 2005 and Fern moved into Pelican Rapids in 2009. Fern was active with many hobbies including ceramics, square dancing, "retirement style" golf, potluck suppers, cooking, baking, stitchery, knitting and cross word puzzles. If she ever had any extra spare time it was spent enjoying the outdoors winter skiing, snowmobiling, refinishing furniture, fishing or just pulling garden weeds. She liked to see the results of her labors. Fern had a deep faith in God and an unconditional love for her family and her dog "Princess". Fern is survived by two children: Stephen (Jo) Kantrud of Vergas, MN and Betty (David) Ranney of Wheaton, MN; four grandchildren: Lorie (Wayne) Hokanson of Rosholt, SD, Heather Ranney and special friend David Marker of Denver, CO, Matthew (Laura) Kantrud of Maplewood, MN. and Carrie Kantrud of Vergas, MN; three great-grandaughters: Sierra, Sasha, and Halle Hokanson of Rosholt, SD, and several nieces and nephews. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl, son Stewart, brother Clifford Johnson, sister Liala Baker Bird and a grandson Christopher Mikkel Kantrud. Visitation: Monday, August 22, 2011, beginning at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake, Pelican Rapids, MN. Funeral Service: Monday, August 22, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake, Pelican Rapids, MN Pastor Dale Pepelnjak officiating. Interment: After church lunch at Ringsaker Cemetary, Pelican Rapids, MN.