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Evonne “Vonnie” Carol Fragodt

Lead Summary

Evonne “Vonnie” Carol Fragodt was born on April 22, 1937, in Montevideo, Minnesota, the daughter of Ernest H. and Mabel (Erickson) Swenson. She graduated from Montevideo High School. On June 12, 1955, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Vernon Fragodt at the United Methodist Church in Montevideo by the Rev. John Miller. The couple was blessed with two children Kendra and Kendall and over 55 years of marriage. They moved to Benson in 1957 where Kenny and his brother owned and operated the Fragodt Oil Company. 
     Vonnie was a stay-at-home mother until her youngest was 9 years old. During that time, she was very active in the Mrs. Jaycees, where she was a local and regional officer. She taught Bible School and sang in the church choir at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church where they were members. She was also a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader.
     In 1969 she started her employment at the Swift County Monitor-News. In 1975 she went to work for Dr. T. S. Eberly where she was a bookkeeper and a receptionist until Dr. Eberly’s death. She then returned to the Swift Co. Monitor until her retirement in 2002. After her retirement she was an active member of the Friends of the Library for several years and the ORW where she served as a unit chairman, board member and treasurer. She had a strong Faith in God which sustained her through the low points of her life.
     She was an avid football fan especially her beloved Minnesota Vikings! She loved reading, playing Hand and Foot, and playing Scrabble. She especially loved spending time at the cabin with her precious family, her daughter, grand kids, and great grand kids. Her friends meant so much to her. She was called from this life on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at her home in Benson. She attained the age of 85 years, 1 month, and 28 days.
     She is survived by a daughter Kendra Nelson, of Benson, three grandchildren Kecia Kalisch (Brandon) , Kallem (Jill) Knuteson, and Kyle (Casey) Fragodt-Cole; 11 great grandchildren, Alyssa, Carson and Lacie Kalisch, James, Colton, Grace, and Savannah Knuteson, and Dylan, Kelley, Kody and Kendall Cole; several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth in 2010, her son Kendall, a brother Richard Swenson, and two sisters Lorraine “Lolly” Gilsrud, and Iola Otterholt. Blessed be her memory.

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