Frances Helen Lof

                Frances Helen “Fran” Lof, age 87, a lifelong Nevis-Park Rapids area resident, peacefully entered eternal life on Tuesday evening, October 23, 2018 at the Heritage Memory Cottages in Park Rapids, with her loved ones at her side.

                Fran was born on December 18, 1930 to Ernest and Henrietta (Kruft) Rixen on their farm in Green Valley township of Becker County, MN.  She attended the Green Valley country school through the eighth grade and then attended high school in Park Rapids, graduating with the Class of 1948.  Fran then attended teachers training in Bemidji, MN and taught school in Green Valley, Menahga and Dorset.  On June 10, 1951, Fran was united in marriage to a young soldier, Clifford “Kip” Lof of Park Rapids, at the old St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.  After their wedding, she continued to teach for the year that Kip was stationed in Japan.  Upon his return, they built a new home in Nevis where they lived until 1978 when they moved to a home they built between Nevis and Park Rapids. Fran worked alongside her husband in growing the “Lof Lumber Company”  from 1964 until their retirement in 1979.  In addition, Fran devoted her life to making a loving home for her husband and children.  She was a wonderful cook who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade meals and her cleverly decorated birthday cakes.  She was gifted with a generous heart for hospitality and cherished hosting parties and dinners for friends and family.  She also caringly opened her home to people from Nevis and Germany and made them a part of her family.  Fran was a woman of faith and was very active in the work and ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Where she taught Sunday School and VBS and served with the Ladies Aid.  Fran was also involved in her community.  She was elected to the Nevis School Board, was a 4-H leader, was active in the Nevis Study Club, and was in charge of the Nevis Muskie Days Parade for many years.  She loved to quilt and sew, was a voracious reader, and especially cherished fishing and camping with Kip and her friends in Canada.

                Fran will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 67 years, Kip of Park Rapids; her daughter, Connie (David) Swan of Brooklyn Park, MN; her two sons: Dr. Eugene (Christina) Lof of Detroit Lakes and Dr. Gregory (Thomas Mutschler) Lof of Ft. Lauderdale, FL;  five dearly-loved grandchildren: Catherine (David) Hukill of Des Moines, IA, Michael Swan of Brooklyn Park, Laura Swan and her fiance’, Ted Daley of Maple Grove, Corey Lof and her fiance’ Kane Hansen of Fargo, ND and Morgan (Kevin) Gravel of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; one sister, Betty Nystrom of Milaca; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

                She was preceded in death by two sisters: Marie Drevlow and Dorothy Noeske and one brother, Morris Rixen.

                Funeral services will be held 10 AM Monday, October 29, 2018 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Rev. James Neubauer and Rev. Joel Newton officiating.  The organist will be Sarah Kaufenberg.  Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.  Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 PM Sunday at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue at the church Monday morning beginning at 9 AM.  Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by the St. Johns Church family.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com