Fern Strecker

GENEVIEVE 'FERN' STRECKER was born on November 13, 1919 to Henry and Thora (Keldsen) Hansen on a farm in Battle Plain Township, Rock County, Minnesota. She was baptized in 1923 at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne and confirmed on June 9, 1940 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick, Minnesota. Fern was raised on the family farm located between Hardwick and Edgerton, Minnesota. She attended District 42 Country School through the eighth grade. Following her education, she remained on the farm helping with housework. On November 24, 1937, Fern was united in marriage to Rudolph H. Strecker at her parents’ farm. The couple farmed in the area over the next 30 years. In 1971, the couple purchased a home in Luverne, Minnesota where they lived for the next 35 years. In July of 2006, Rudy became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. At this time Fern moved to an apartment in the Blue Mound Tower. Rudy preceded her in death on February 2, 2008. Fern continued to live in her apartment until March 5, 2009 when she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home. While living at the home, Fern participated in many of the resident activities. On Monday, March 12, 2012, Fern died peacefully at the home at the age of 92 years, three months and 29 days.

Fern was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Early in life, Fern learned to play the accordion. Her sister, Mildred, later brought out Fern’s enthusiasm for the instrument and it showed very much in the music she played with the Kitchen Cutups Band and the times she played at the Rock County Senior Center. She also enjoyed fishing, German music and old hymns.

Fern is lovingly remembered by her brother, Don Hansen and his wife Miriam of Hardwick; nieces, nephews and other family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy; parents, Rudolph and Thora; one sister, Mildred Klosterbuer; and three brothers, Harold, Raymond, and Vernon Hansen.