Anne Tomte

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.VISITATION : One hour prior to the service on Wednesday.INTERMENT : Lake Emma Cemetery near Park Rapids, MN.SURVIVORS : Her two daughters: Muriel Wellnitz of Council Bluffs, IA and Katherine (Marvin) Makela of Park Rapids, MN; two sons: Donald Tomte of Walker, MN and Ellerd (Sue) Tomte of Park Rapids, MN; 13 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren and a few great great great grandchildren. ANNE M. TOMTEJuly 24, 1920 ~ November 21, 2012 Anne M. Tomte, age 92 of Bemidji, MN formerly of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, MN.Anne was born to Earl and Annie (Roine) Wilcox on July 24, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN. She was raised in the Annandale, MN area where she attended school through the 11th grade. On April 28, 1939 Anne was united in marriage to Merrill Tomte in Buffalo, MN. Their union was blessed with six children: Muriel, Katherine, Donald, John, Ellerd and Kevin. In October of 1940, Anne and Merrill ventured to Park Rapids where they made their home in Lake Emma Township. Anne took great pride in providing a warm and loving home for her growing family. Anne, with help from her husband and children, raised a large vegetable garden, tended chickens and milked several cows. They canned each year"s bounty, often more than 500 quarts, to feed their family. Anne was an accomplished seamstress making most of the clothing her family wore. From time to time she took a job cleaning cabins at local resorts. She enjoyed participating in a Bible study group with some local ladies that met once a month. Anne was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. In later years she looked forward to traveling to Florida during the cold Minnesota winters. In 1995, they sold their country property and moved into Park Rapids. In 2004, Anne endured the loss of her husband of 65 years, Merrill. As her own health failed, she came to the realization the she needed some help. Anne made the decision one day to admit herself into the nursing home. She had always enjoyed reading but as life slowed down, she was seldom seen without reading material by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by two daughters: Muriel Wellnitz of Council Bluffs, IA and Katherine (Marvin) Makela of Park Rapids, MN; two sons: Donald Tomte of Walker, MN and Ellerd (Sue) Tomte of Park Rapids, MN; 13 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; and a few great great great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and other relative and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merrill; two sons, John who died in 1986 and Kevin who died in 2006; a great-granddaughter, Evelyn Buckel; and two sisters.Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Reverend Sarah Jensen officiating. A time of visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Special music will be "Softly and Tenderly", "Peace In The Valley", and "The Lord"s Prayer". Casketbearers will be Family and Friends. Interment will be at Lake Emma Cemetery in Lake Emma Township of Hubbard County.