Malvina Ann Wenzel

FUNERAL SERVICES : 2:00 P.M. Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home.VISITATION : 5-8 P.M. Wednesday, June 3, 2009 and one hour prior to the service on Tnursday, June 4, 2009 at the funeral home.INTERMENT : Rest Haven Cemetery, Nevis, MN.SURVIVORS : She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert of Park Rapids; her daughter, Linda (Dennis) Klein of Port Orchard, WA, David Thorson of West Fargo, ND and Lowell Thorson of Nevada; her ten step-children: Robert (Linda) Wenzel Jr., Elmer (Sara) Wenzel, Deborah Greeley, Shirley (Mitch) Cossette, Sandra Wenzel, Kathy Brown, Leah Wenzel, Daniel (Rachael) Wenzel, David ( Pam) Wenzel, and Cindy Broker; her three brothers: Dayton (Josephine) Kjonaas of North St. Paul., MN., Raymond Kjonaas and Ole Kjonaas both of Moorhead, MN and one sister, Marilyn (Larry) DeWalt of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania; many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces of nephews. MALVINA ANN WENZELJanuary 18, 1924 " May 31, 2009 Malvina Ann Wenzel, age 85 of Park Rapids, MN formerly of Nevis, MN and Fargo, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2009 with her loving husband at her side at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids. Malvina was born on January 18, 1924 to Date and Annie Regina (Ackland) Kjonaas on the home farm located on the Hubbard/Becker County line west of Park Rapids, MN. At the age of nine she moved with her family to Georgetown, MN where she attended public school through the eighth grade and then went on to attend high school in Fargo, ND. As a young woman, Malvina helped on her parent"s farm and also for other farmers helping with the livestock chores and milking cows as well as planting and harvesting in the fields. On July 6, 1945, Malvina was united in marriage to Elden Thorson. This union was blessed with three children: Linda, David and Lowell. Malvina devoted her life to making a loving home for her husband and children. She was wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade cooking and baking; especially the many dozens of Christmas cookies she baked for her family each year. After her children were grown, Malvina was certified as a nursing assistant and enjoyed caring for the elderly at the Fargo Nursing Home. Her life was saddened by the untimely death of her husband, Elden in 1984. Her life was fulfilled by her marriage to Robert L. Wenzel on July 13, 1987 at the Evangelical Free Church of Fargo. A short time after her marriage to Robert, the couple purchased a home in Nevis, MN where they enjoyed living together until 1997 when they sold their home and moved into Park Rapids. Malvina was a woman of many interests. She loved the out of doors and enjoyed walking through the forests and learning the names of the trees, flowers and birds that made up the Northern MN landscape. She also enjoyed picking berries and nuts in their seasons. She and Robert enjoyed raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. They also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds that graced their property. Malvina and Robert had a special interest in hunting Indian artifacts throughout MN and the western states. Above all, she lived a legacy of serving others through the Senior Companion Program for 18 years, as an ombudsman for the Fargo Nursing Home and through her faithfulness in ministry at the Bible Baptist Church in Nevis where she especially enjoyed worshipping her Savior, Jesus Christ and fellowship with her church family there. Malvina"s favorite scripture was "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and she lived her life to Glorify God through that promise. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert of Park Rapids; her daughter, Linda (Dennis) Klein of Port Orchard, WA, David Thorson of West Fargo, ND and Lowell Thorson of Nevada; her ten step-children: Robert (Linda) Wenzel Jr., Elmer (Sara) Wenzel, Deborah Greeley, Shirley (Mitch) Cossette, Sandra Wenzel, Kathy Brown, Leah Wenzel, Daniel (Rachael) Wenzel, David ( Pam) Wenzel, and Cindy Broker; her three brothers: Dayton (Josephine) Kjonaas of North St. Paul., MN., Raymond Kjonaas and Ole Kjonaas both of Moorhead, MN and one sister, Marilyn (Larry) DeWalt of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania; many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces of nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Elden; and one step-son Don Wenzel. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Reverend Thomas Drury officiating. The soloist will be Shirley Drury who will sing, "In The Garden" and "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus". The pianist will be Barb Strecher. Congregational hymns will be: "On Eagles Wings" and "How Great Thou Art". The casket bearers will be Larry DeWalt, Tyrel Thorson, Dennis Kline, Paul Wenzel, Robby Wenzel and Mike Pauly. Interment will be made in the Resthaven Cemetery of Nevis, MN. A luncheon will be provided by the ladies of the Nevis Bible Baptist Church which will follow the service at the Woodland Court Apartments in Park Rapids. A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and again beginning one hour prior to the service on Thursday. To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.