Florence Fruth

Florence G. Fruth, age 86, of Urbank, died Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank with Fr. Peter VanderWeyst, Fr. Jeff Ethan, Fr. Herb Gappa, and Deacon Craig Stich officiating. Music is provided by the church choir, organist, Cassandra Kowalski, Kayla Koep, Connie Lee Cunningham, Bernadette Wagner, Sharon Bitzan, and Doreen Larson. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from 5-8 p.m. with 7 p.m. parish prayers with Deacon Joe Wood officiating and a rosary to follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service.

Florence Gertrude Koep was born June 15, 1931, to Hubert and Barbara (Kraemer) Koep in Urbank. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith. Florence attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1949. Florence was united in marriage to Erwin Fruth June 15, 1949, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank. Together, the couple moved to St. Paul where Florence worked at the Gould Battery Factory and served as a waitress for 28 years. In 1987, Erwin and Florence returned to the Urbank area. Florence was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers. She was also a former Den Mother with the Cub Scouts. Florence enjoyed baking, fishing, gardening, bingo, cards, casino trips, and watching Twins and Vikings games. She especially loved spending time with family and friends and lunches with her birthday buddies.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Erwin in 2012; sisters, Marie Post and Rose Stich; brothers, John Koep and Bernard Koep, who died at the young age of 2; and brothers-in-law, Al Post and Ben Stich; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Koep.

Florence is survived by her two sons, Pat Fruth of White Bear Lake and Gary (Ann) Fruth of White Bear Lake; four daughters, Kathy (Phillip) Koep of Urbank, Connie (Michael) Baehr of Blaine, Sandy (Roger) Schmit of Woodbury, and Julie (John) Heintz of Lake Elmo; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Pallbearers are Sara Fruth, Jack Heintz, Jimmy Baehr, Eric Koep, Marshall Koep, Kelsey Koep, Troy Fruth, and Mark Fruth. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Koep, Amy Foslien, Katie Rosa, and her 23 great-grandchildren.