Agnes Sophie Watnemo

Agnes Watnemo, age 93, of Fosston, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday (July 8th) at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday (July 12th) at First Baptist Church in Clearbrook, MN with Pastor Verlyn Strenge officiating. Interment will be in Queen Cemetery, rural Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday (July 11th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.

Agnes was born on October 20, 1916, in Morgan Township, Buxton, ND, to Anna (Anderson) and Andrew Birkeland, the seventh child in a family of ten. She attended country school near Mayville, ND, until the age of 13, at which time her family moved from North Dakota to the Gonvick, MN, area. She completed her eighth grade education at the Lone Pine School northeast of Fosston.

During her early adult years, Agnes worked as a domestic for families in Portland, ND, Minneapolis, and in Texas. She also worked in a defense manufacturing plant in Minneapolis during World War II.

On December 15, 1941, she was united in marriage to Harry Watnemo of rural Fosston. They farmed in Queen Township for most of their adult lives, and until their three children had completed high school, Agnes worked full time at home. In 1967, she began work as a nurses aide in the Fosston Hospital and continued that work until retirement.

Agnes was an enthusiastic gardener who enjoyed growing a variety of flowers as well as vegetables and fruits. She also loved planting trees, an enthusiasm that was passed along to many other family members. Her passions included family activities, especially with her grandchildren who remember her for encouraging contact with pets and for providing each of them with their earliest driving lessons. She introduced them to many traditional Norwegian foods, and in later years taught interested granddaughters the fine art of lefse-making. Agnes was also a dedicated and active member of the Fosston Baptist Church, and in later years, the Clearbrook Baptist Church. Her church activities were many, including singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Agnes Watnemo passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at First Care Nursing Home in Fosston at the age of 93 years.

Agnes is survived by her children Arlene (Paul) Renshaw, Linnae (Robert) Anderson, and Harold (Roz) Watnemo, as well as eight grandchildren: Paige Muellerleile (Jeff Kovatch), Caryn Muellerleile, Derrick (Charleny) Anderson, Kyle (Nikki) Anderson, Rachel (Paul) Nelson, Jessica (Jerry) Watnemo-Storey, Alyssa (Brian) Bates, and Taylor Watnemo. Seven great-grandchildren survive her: Evan Veer, Ty and Levi Nelson, Kayley, Kelsee and Cole Anderson, and Jada Kovatch. Survivors also include three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Andrew Birkeland, husband Harry Watnemo, siblings Andrew, Odin, Edgar, and Herman Birkeland, Alice Hendrickson, Currien Strande, and Kenneth, Frederick, and Marcus Birkeland.

Pallbearers: Paige Muellerleile, Derrick Anderson, Caryn Muellerleile, Kyle Anderson, Rachel Nelson, Jessica Storey, Alyssa Bates, and Taylor Watnemo.

(Source: Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home)

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