Anita Howe-Hagen

Anita Howe-Hagen, age 73, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Thursday (May 29th) at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday (June 4th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Erskine. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine at a later date. Friends may call for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine and sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Anita Beverly Howe, born November 3, 1933 in Erskine, Minnesota to parents Ernest O. Howe and Esther (Haugen) Howe. She was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine. Anita attended school in Erskine and graduated in 1951.Anita attended the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis until her marriage to Richard A. Hoel in 1953. The couple had two children, Rodney and Loretta.Anita returned to Erskine and attended school for Red Cross Certification and taught First Aid/CPR in the surrounding area. She became a Cub Scout Den Mother until moving to East Grand Forks, MN. Anita was married to Francis Blaufuss in 1967 and the couple had 3 children, Lauren, Jon and Kay. When the children were older she resumed what she enjoyed; besides being a mother and grandmother; her volunteer work in the Grand Forks area.Anita bought a van that was wheelchair accessible and drove people to medical appointments, church services or other activities. She loved playing her autoharp at nursing homes and hospitals. If there was someone in need and she was able to help, be it a ride or holding a hand and listening, she was available.In 1982 Anita was awarded "The Greater Grand Forks Area Volunteer of the Year." It was during her volunteer work that she met Laurel Hagen and married in 1986. In April of this year Anita and Laurel renewed their vows at the Pioneer Memorial Care Center.After the flood of 1997 took her house, she came back to Erskine to live with her mother Esther. Many that had lost everything to the flood fell into despair; for Anita it strengthened her faith and she continued to share her faith and write her gospel music until she moved to the PMCC.Anita passed away peacefully on May 29, 2008 surrounded by children and grandchildren.Survivors are Laurel Hagen, her sister Gloria Wilson of Coon Rapids, MN. Two sons; Rodney and Jonathan. Three daughters; Loretta, Lauren and Kay. 14 grandchildren; Tyler, Dave, Beth, Crystal, Matthew, Evan, David, McKayla, Cameron, Jon Kurtis, Marissa, Ian and Mahloni.Nephews Scott Kutney, and Ben Wilson. Cousins Ron Howe, Shirley Erickson, Wes Howe, Debra (Haugen)Eull, Vannie Espeseth, and many Howe and Haugens around the world.She was preceded in death by her parents, uncles and aunts.