Mercedes Beckstrom

Mercedes Beckstrom, age 87, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Sunday, December 16th, at Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21st, at Poplar Lake Lutheran Church, rural Fosston, with the Pastor Andrew Virkus and Pastor John Anderson officiating. Interment will be in Poplar Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, December 20th and for one hour prior to the service on Friday. All visitation will be held at Poplar Lake Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.Mercedes Vivian Larsen was born May 17, 1931 in Bealieu to parents Arthur and Cordelia Larsen. She attended school through the 8th grade, helped her parents at home, and worked as a waitress and nurse aide. In April 1952, she married Francis Olson of rural Fosston, and began her role as a military wife. To this union, 4 children were born, Michael, Kathleen, Gary, and JoAnn. The family made their home at various Air Force bases in Arizona, Florida, Duluth, MN, France, Germany, and Virginia. Francis died in January 1971.In December 1972, she married Alton Beckstrom of rural Fosston. She continued her life, this time, as a farmers' wife, sharing responsibilities of milking cows and caring for calves. In 1976, they were blessed with a son, Gerald.Mercedes was an excellent cook and baker, using only quality ingredients to make sure it tasted good. She will be remembered by her family for making the best rhubarb and banana cream pies, always having a tin of cookies to share, as well as great hot dishes, soups, and much more. Mercedes had a great love for children and loved having her grandchildren and great grandchildren around her. For many years, she was a child care provider, showing love and compassion to children in her care. For the past four years her constant companion Brandi (Pomeranian) filled her life with love and joy.Even though she faced many health struggles throughout her life, including being legally blind, she found ways to do things, and shared that knowledge. I guess you could say "she knew a little bit about everything"!Mercedes was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a longtime member of Poplar Lake Church. A huge part of her life was focused on activities within the church.On December 16, 2018, she passed away at Essentia Living Care Center in Fosston, MN, under hospice care. She was surrounded and comforted by her family during this short, final phase of her life.Survivors include sons, Michael (Karen) Olson, Fosston, Gerald (Christina) Beckstrom, Alleman, IA, daughters, Kathleen Johnson, Fosston, and JoAnn Debra (Tom) Warner, Pulaski, TN; brothers, Dean Larsen, Fosston, James Larsen, Murfreesboro, TN, sisters, Leoney Olson, Fosston, and Doris Munter, Sioux City, IA, sister in law Marilyn Anderson, Fosston. Grandchildren, Andrea (Matthew) Howard, Lisa (Brandon) Williams, Tracy (Greg) Hendrickson, Travis (Sarah) Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Brittany (Richard) Larsen, Casey Warner, Erin Bissett, Georgia, Eaton, Kale and Bianca Beckstrom, as well as 13 great grandchildren. Also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Melvin Larsen, husbands Francis and Alton, infant son Gary, son in law Steven Johnson, and great granddaughter, Miranda Lee.Blessed be her memory

Visitation

Thursday, December 20, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Poplar Lake Lutheran Church
43223 380th Ave SE Fosston 56542, United States

Funeral Service

Friday, December 21, 2018 11:00 AM
Poplar Lake Lutheran Church
43223 380th Ave SE Fosston 56542, United States