Louise Kragness

Louise Kragness, age 94 of Fargo, ND passed away May 15, 2023. Louise, the second daughter of Axel and Marguerite (Eaton) Nielsen, was born on April 4, 1929, in DeSmet, SD. At a very young age she lived in Baltic, SD. The family later moved to Wolverton, MN where she grew up and helped at her Dad's creamery. She graduated from Wolverton High School in 1947 and Moorhead State Teachers College in 1949. Enjoying young students, Louise taught a combination 1st and 2nd grade in Lamberton, MN, Grand Forks, ND, Great Falls, MT, and Detroit Lakes, MN.

During the wet fall of 1962, with harvest delayed, Louise married Paul Kragness on August 11 at Richland Lutheran Church and they instantly became a family with Paul's adoption of her three daughters. After their marriage, Louise taught the first kindergarten class, which her youngest daughter Reva attended, at Christine, ND and she also substituted in Abercrombie, ND. She was a strong believer of education and encouraged her daughters to attend college.

Louise enjoyed making donuts, pies, cookies, chocolate desserts and all kinds of bread such as white and dark buns, clover leaf rolls, sour cream twists and caramel rolls. All were eaten and enjoyed by many. Louise and Paul lived on the farm until retiring in 1986 to Fargo. Here, she continued her baking expertise, now treating her grandchildren while still supplying fresh buns and breads for church potlucks and bake sales.

Louise was a member of Richland Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for 20 years and was active in the Ladies' Aid. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway, Kringen Lodge #25 in Fargo where she and Paul volunteered working bingo, serving lunches and Sunday brunch. She helped her daughter, Marguerite, with preparations for special events at St. James Manor Senior Apartments in Perham, MN and along with Marguerite volunteered at the Red Cross Emergency Response Center during the flood of 1997.

Louise and Paul traveled to Norway and Denmark and, later, Louise and her sister Laura explored Denmark seeing the area where their father had immigrated from. She also enjoyed traveling to Colorado to visit Shan, Brian and grandchildren.

Her hobbies included gardening, canning, sewing and knitting. She made many caps and mittens for grandchildren and also donated many knitted items to “Coats for Kids” and the Fargo Public Schools. Throughout her life she enjoyed bird watching, playing whist, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, coloring and sticker books, and reading--especially historical nonfiction about Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. She also enjoyed pizza, and it was the choice for celebrations and lunch dates for family who came to visit.

The family would like to thank the Bethany on University staff, the Davita Dialysis team at Dilworth, MN, the Bethany TCU, and Ethos Hospice for the wonderful care she has received. We would also like to acknowledge the special friendships of Pastor Julé Ballinger and Nancy Ulven.

Louise is survived by her three daughters Shan (Brian) Eidsvoog, Aurora, CO, Marguerite (Larry) Ronsberg, Fargo, ND, Reva (Doug) Hardina, Fitchburg, WI; six grandchildren Mara Eidsvoog (Eric Stickel), and Bradley Eidsvoog (Josh Crabtree), Kevin Ronsberg (Amanda Kuller), and Randall Ronsberg (Jennifer Reynolds), Kate Hardina and Audrey (Dan) Vincenzi; two great granddaughters Zoey Hagerty and Ruby Vincenzi and a great grandson on the way.

She is preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, brother Robert Nielsen, sister and brother-in-law Laura and Fred Schrom, sister-in-law Aurene Kragness, brother-in-law Earl Kragness, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Leona and Vernon Hektner. 

The memorial service will be held Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Richland Lutheran Church, 6143 172nd Ave SE, Walcott, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.