Frances Irene (Carlson) Greenwaldt was born in Deer Creek Minnesota on December 6, 1933, to Frank and Marie (Laney) Carlson.

Fran grew up east of Deer Creek with her parents and brother Lloyd and graduated from high school in 1951. Following graduation, she was employed by the school as a secretary and bookkeeper. Fran also worked at the First National Bank in Wadena and Todd Wadena Electric Cooperative. She retired from the Deer Creek School in 1980. She kept busy with the yearly school reunion and enjoyed being an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and LWML.

Gordon and Fran were united in marriage on August 25th, 1956. They had four children: Caryl, Marilyn, Joni, and Bill.

Mom was very kind and thoughtful. She often sent cards to anyone that she thought needed encouragement or their day brightened. She was very quick witted and enjoyed the fun back and forth banter with others. She was also not afraid to let you know it was time to leave at the end of a visit.

Many hours were spent playing board games with her grandchildren. They made her keep playing a lot longer than she wanted but her grandkids could talk her in to anything. Pancakes were her specialty, and the grandkids loved them! No one could make them like Grandma. Lots of deliveries were made to the grandchildren’s homes and it wasn’t easy keeping up with the constant orders for pancakes.

Mom never sat still. She was always busy cleaning, cooking and looking for whatever else she could find to do. She had her hands full, reminding her kids of all the things they were supposed to remember to do also.

Frances Greenwaldt, age 91 of Deer Creek, Minnesota passed away on December 12, 2024, at her home.

Preceded in death by her husband Gordon, parents Frank & Marie (Peggy) Carlson, father and mother-in-law Fred & Marie Greenwaldt, brother Lloyd, brothers-in-law David Brasel and Donald Stelzner, and nephew Timmy Brasel.

Survived by her children: Caryl (Randy) Stave, Marilyn (Vern) Snyder, Joni (Larry) Birch, Bill Greenwaldt; 12 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Marsha Carlson, Donna Stelzner, and Barbara Brasel.