Nancy Letnes

Nancy Helen Letnes, 75, of Crookston, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with her loving family at her side. Nancy was born on December 8, 1942 at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston, MN, the daughter of Percy and Evelyn (Scott) Boyer. She grew up in Beltrami, was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church there, and attended Beltrami Elementary School. After graduating from Fertile-Beltrami High School in nearby Fertile, MN, Nancy went on to attend the Saint Francis Hospital School of Practical Nursing in Crookston. She earned her degree as an LPN and then began working in the Labor and Delivery Department of the St. Francis Hospital. On June 4, 1966 Nancy was united in marriage to Gary Letnes at her home church, Trinity Lutheran in Beltrami. The couple settled on Gary’s farm in Andover Township, near Crookston, where they raised their three children: Lisa, David, and Nicole in a very loving, Christian home. Nancy loved working with Gary on the farm and serving as leader of her children’s 4-H Club. She was a devoted member of the Climax Lutheran Church, and in addition to having served on the church council, she also participated in WELCA (Ladies Aid), and taught Sunday school. For many years Nancy enjoyed playing bridge with friends and often hosted them on ‘card night.’ She had also been playing canasta in Crookston at the Library and Golden Link Seniors Citizens Center. Nancy was an avid gardener. Her true passion was working in her flower gardens. Nancy not only planted her favorite flowers, but she was fearless when it came to trying new varieties. When Gary was working as a deputy for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Nancy often accompanied him as a “matron” when he was transporting female prisoners to and from Crookston.

Nancy and Gary loved to travel throughout the United States, including several trips taken to Hawaii. Another favorite place to visit was Branson, MO, where they were this past November to take in the first of the new season’s Christmas shows. They also liked to go camping with the family, and for the last thirty years had been spending time at their timeshare at Breezy Point, near Brainerd, MN.

Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and will be greatly missed.

Nancy is survived by the love of her life for the past fifty-one years, Gary; their three children: Lisa (Tim) Bender of Bemidji, MN, David (Yolanda) Letnes, of Eagan, MN, and Nicole Letnes of Seattle, WA; three grandchildren: Nick (Kayla) Bender and Josh Bender of Bemidji, and Aaron Letnes of Eagan; a great-granddaughter, Harper Grace Bender; and her brother Scott (Linda) Boyer of Crookston. She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Evelyn Boyer; Gary’s father, John, and Gary’s mother and step-father, Vivian and Ralph Barton.

The funeral service and celebration of Nancy’s life will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 23, 2018, in the Climax Lutheran Church, Climax, MN, with The Rev. Joy Grainger, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Monday, January 22, 2018, from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will take place in the Bergit Cemetery, rural Climax.

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