Funeral services were held for Frances Hepola on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota with Pastor Steve Dahl officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Louise Amberg. The pallbearers were Brian Maki, Mike Niemela, Maynard Falk, Don Vandermay, Jay Leaderbrand and Ken Maki. Frances was laid to rest in St. Peters Cemetery in New York Mills, Minnesota.
Frances Eleanor Hepola was born on January 28, 1924 at home in Newton Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota. Her parents were the late Frank and Matilda Tillie (Anderson) Eklund. Fran attended country school District #175. She grew up working on the family farm in Newton Township. On July 27, 1946 Fran was united in marriage to Edmund William Hepola by Reverend Merickle at the Parsonage in Wadena, Minnesota. Fran and Ed resided in New York Mills, Minnesota. Fran worked in various grocery stores in New York Mills. She also worked at the Coop Hardware Store in New York Mills for 17 years until her retirement in 1990. Fran and Eddie enjoyed life in New York Mills. On November 22, 2000 Ed passed away. Fran has been cared for at the Elders Home in New York Mills, Minnesota since December 29, 2000. Fran enjoyed gardening and especially growing flowers and inside plants. She also enjoyed spending time at their cabin on Rush Lake and holding her own garage sales. She was a member of the St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York Mills and a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. On May 7, 2006 Fran passed away at the Elders Home in New York Mills, Minnesota at 82 years of age. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Preceding Fran in death were her parents; her husband, Ed; brother, Robert Bob Eklund and half brother, Henning Eklund.
Fran is survived by her daughter, Lynae (Brian) Maki of Ottertail; her son, Terry (Diane) Hepola of Perham; 4 grandchildren: Cory Hepola, Nicole Maki, Chelsea Hepola and Ashley Maki; her sister-in-law, Rachel Eklund of New York Mills; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home, New York Mills, Minnesota.
