Frances Irene (Lagred) Haverly

With sadness and celebration, we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Frances “Irene” (Nelson, Lagred) Haverly. Born July 20, 1934, in Benson, MN. We were blessed to celebrate her 90th birthday in 2024. She passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024 with her children and their families gathered. Preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Gladys Nelson; her husband of 48 years, Edward; her husband of over ten years, LeRoy; a brother, Donald Nelson; three sisters – Myrtle Grace and husband, Robert; Juanita Hircock and husband, Roger; and Margaret Nelson; brother-in-law, Kent Stockham; and grandson, Nicholas Larson.

Frances graduated from Benson High School, Class of 1952, and married Edward at her parents’ home on March 9, 1953. They lived in Kentucky while Edward served in the US Army during which time their first child was born. Raised in a Baptist family, she became a confirmed Lutheran after her marriage and made certain her children were raised in a Christian home. They lived in Benson, and then New Prague before returning to the farm in Camp Lake Township in 1966 where they were partners in the dairy business for over 30 years. She enjoyed taking care of the baby calves and helping Edward with the daily chores. Frances was trained as a bookkeeper and held various jobs including at Agralite Co-op in Benson, the Cylinder Plant in Swift Falls, and the Sales Barn in Benson. In retirement, they embraced the RV life, wintering in Mission, TX, socializing with new friends, and hosting campgrounds in Minnesota in the summer, where the family would join them for weekend campouts, enjoying fish fries, card games and campfires. She will be remembered for her freshly baked bread, brownies, apple bars, and delicious meals. On many occasions, during hunting season, and on holidays, there would be over 30 people sitting around extended tables at the farmhouse enjoying the food she prepared, after which the girls would help clean up in the kitchen, singing songs and carols as the dishes were washed and dried. She showed love to her grandchildren when they visited by reading storybooks to them and providing snacks, especially cookies, bars, lefse, and “circle meat” sandwiches.

Survived by her brother, Gene Nelson and wife, Virginia, of Benson; sister, Anna Stockham of Carroll, IA; and sister-in-law, Barb Nelson of Benson.  She will be remembered for her accepting and forgiving spirit by her six children, Edward (Debra) Lagred of Benson, Roy (Joyce) Lagred of Starbuck, Helen (Michael) Oslund of Golden Valley, Dori (Paul) Thell of Florida, Gary (Michele) Lagred of Cyrus, and Heidi Lagred (Greg Nicholson) of International Falls; 16 grandchildren – Shawn (Mitch) Franklin, Nathan (Juanita) Lagred, Sarah (John) Weber, Marshal (Lisa) Lagred, Gretchen (Bryan) Tabbert, Derek Oslund, Jennifer (Eric) Ludlow, Jacob (Kristine) Nystrom, Lucas (Glyniss) Nystrom, Lindsay (Charles)Cheek, Barry Larson, Jeffrey Larson, Amanda Lagred, Zakary (Katie)Vork, Tyler Vork, and Quinton (Sam) Vork; 33 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

A Celebration Service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 1 PM, Saturday, October 12, 2024, with visitation two hours before. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holly Ridge Manor Assisted Living in Starbuck, MN; Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, MN; or Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Swift Falls, MN.

Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.