Anna Louise Fagen Ebeltoft was born on September 11, 1920 to Roy and Agnes (Johnson) Fagen in Wabanica township. She passed away on January 20, 2024 at the Lakewood Care Center at the age of 103. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fritz (Fredrick), her son Michael. Brothers Kenneth (Lucille), Leon (Theresa), Dean (Connie)Fagen and sisters Ruth (Stuart) Zimmerman, June (Jack)Skaar, and Dorothy (Howard) Eckstrom. She is survived by her son Keith (Edda) of Massanutten, VA. Sisters Carol (Richard) Martinson of North St. Paul, MN and Dianne (Robert) Anderson of Maplewood, MN and sister-in-law Theresa Leier of St. Paul, MN. Her granddaughters Lisa Ebeltoft and Rachael (David) Dilling of Las Vegas, NV and Kathleen Tysinger (James) of Watauga, TX . Great grandchildren Joshua Kraske and Jessica Dilling of Las Vegas, NV and Grace and Conner Tysinger of Watauga, TX. and too many nieces, nephews, great and great -great nieces and nephews to count.
Anna was the first grandchild of Andrew and Annie Johnson and Alfred and Louisa Fagen. Anna’s childhood was spent in Wabanica surrounded by her siblings, grandparents, her aunts and uncles and a growing number of cousins. When she was ready for high school she stayed with a family in Baudette where for board and room she helped with housework and the children.
Anna wed Fritz Ebeltoft of Baudette on May 31, 1941. They were married at the Wabanica Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed. The same church her grandfather helped to build. Anna and Fritz lived in several different places during their marriage. Among them were Indiana, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida. Their final home was at the Commons in Baudette where she cared for Fritz through his declining health. Anna became involved in church and community activities including Relay For Life. She was a dedicated and active member of First Lutheran Church where she made many lasting friendships. Her friends made sure she had a rides to church every Sunday, to Bible Study, to the Quilters Group and to Churchwomen’s group. She helped with the annual Lutefisk Dinners by rolling the batter balls for lefse. Even in her 90s she continued to baked cookies for the Christmas Carolers who came to sing at the Commons. A highlight in her later years was a trip to Norway with several relatives and friends to visit her grandparents’ homeland.
As her health began to decline she was limited in the activities she enjoyed outside of her apartment. Thanks to so many of her faithful friends, she was able to continue her connections with others and receive assistance whenever she needed it. She celebrated her 103rd birthday in her apartment in September and then in October she moved into the Lakewood Care Center where she passed away on January 20th. She would say that she had a great life and great friends and relatives whom she loved and was loved by them. She was blessed and she was a blessing to so many others.
Anna’s Celebration of Life will take place at First Lutheran Church in Baudette at 11:00 am Saturday April 6th. Visitation one hour prior to the service.
Last modified: 04/05/2024
