Minnie Fosaaen

Minnie Dolores Vivian Carlson Gores Fosaaen, longtime resident of Cando, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, with a family member at her side. She was born in Rock Lake, ND, to Anton and Florence Carlson. Florence passed away suddenly when Minnie was six years old, and her older brother Dwaine Loran Oscar passed away when she was twelve. Anton never remarried and as his oldest daughter, Minnie had significant responsibilities in the home - she boiled her first pot of potatoes when she was ten years old. She had two younger sisters, Shirley Beverly Carlson and Edith Marion Carlson.

As a teenager, she cooked for threshing crews and cleaned houses to earn money for her family. When she was working at a restaurant in Mylo, ND, she met Glenn Martin Gores, whom she married on December 30, 1951. They farmed near Mylo until his death in 1958. Together they had four children: John Anthony, Connie Jeanne, Jerald Arthur, and Patrick Kim. Following Glenn's death she moved to Cando. She married Alvin Johan Fosaaen, a widower with five children, on December 12, 1958. Their combined family included nine children and together they had two: Eric Karl and Julie Marie, for a total of eleven. Al passed away in 1976. Her close friend, Armour Gaast, passed away in 2003.

For years, Minnie worked at the Cando Furniture Store, at the Durum House, at Home Health, and then at Rest Haven Manor, now known as Towner County Living Center, first in the Activities Room and then as a nursing assistant for the past twenty years. She was a tireless worker and was so proud when she earned her CNA License, which she renewed this past December. She delighted in her grandchildren and in "making memories" with them. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies on the face of the earth and often sent her grandchildren home with bags of cookies on their laps.

Many a Christmas Eve, Minnie and her children and/or grandchildren drove around Cando delivering presents, depositing them on a door handle or on the step in someone's garage only to surprise them in the morning; attribution was not important; giving special gifts and making people happy were her goals. Her love of sewing grew out of necessity, and was inspired by her creative spirit. There wasn't a pattern she couldn't copy or a complex angle that she couldn't master. She made crafts for every season that often graced the tables at the Durum House, the Cando Lutheran Church, or the Rest Haven Manor. She was a den mother to her sons' cub scout and boy scout troops; she served as the Secretary of the Cando Lutheran Church where for 17 years she also taught Sunday School; she was active in Auxiliary, the Ladies Aid, and the Entre Nous Club; she was in bowling leagues; she sewed uniforms for cheerleading teams; and she baked cakes and bars for many a service in Cando. Her desserts were legendary with her favorite ingredient, Cool Whip.

She enjoyed sitting in her "bird house" in her back yard. Everyone who knew her commented on Minnie's sweet disposition. She had a clever sense of humor and delighted in a spirited discussion now and then, usually about politics. Every night when her children were younger and she recited her favorite line from poetry, "The time has come the walrus said, to speak of many things...", they knew it was time to get ready for bed. Most of the time they complied.

Minnie is survived by her children: John Gores (Sherryl); Connie Gores; Jerry Gores (Gail); Pat Gores (Kim); Eric Fosaaen (Dorine); Julie Dougherty (Pat) and her stepchildren: Brian Fosaaen (Toni); Sandra Zimmerman (Gary); Janelle Bannach; Sheila Garber (Bruce). Her grandchildren include: Jake Gores; Shelby Gores; Tempa Klinegores Peters (Austin), Kasha Klinegores; Maxwell Erdle; Grant Gores; John Gores; Chelsea Fanchi (Peter); Patrick Gores; Karl Fosaaen (Carrie), Paul Fosaaen; Misty Wollenburg (Bob); Rob Fosaaen (Alexis Grinde); David Zimmerman; Tara Swegarden; Steven Bannach; Thomas Bannach; Shanna Flanagan; and Kellie Garber. Her great-grandchildren are: Bridger Gores; Stuart Peters; Peter Fanchi; Maria Fanchi; Vincent Fanchi; Jacob Wollenburg; Jamison Wollenburg; and Amaya Grinde Fosaaen. She is also survived by her sisters: Shirley Abraham (Ron) of Lakeside, Montana and Edith Erickson Green of Williston, North Dakota as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. She was truly loved by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Florence Carlson; her brother, Dwaine Carlson; Glenn Gores, Al Fosaaen, and Amour Gaast; a stepson, Brent Fosaaen; and a great-grandson, Heavy Fanchi.

A memorial service will be held in Cando at a date to be determined, most likely in the summer.