Agnes M. Reller, age 102, of Mahnomen, MN, formerly Ogema, MN, died Monday, October 10, 2016, at the Mahnomen Health Care Center in Mahnomen.

Agnes Margaret Bitz was born October 22, 1913, in Hague, ND, to Joseph and Helena (Kelsch) Bitz. When she was six, the family moved to Burnstad, ND, near Napoleon, ND. Agnes attended rural St. Anthony's Church German School in Napoleon. She worked on the farm and also did babysitting and housekeeping for her older sisters and their families. In 1936, Agnes came to work for her aunt in Detroit Lakes, MN. She met Leonard Reller and the two were united in marriage on July 6, 1938, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in White Earth, MN. The couple worked for area farmers and in 1942 they moved to the farm near Ogema where they would make their permanent home and raise six children. Agnes and Leonard were married 55 years when he passed away on December 10, 1993. Following 65 years on the farm, Agnes moved "retired" from the farm to Evergreen Apartments in Waubun, MN, in 2007. She truly missed her neighbors and friends and was sincerely appreciative for all they did for her while she lived on the farm. In 2009, Agnes moved to the Mahnomen Health Care Center where she made her home until the time of her death.

Agnes believed in a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon or oatmeal, hard work, treating everyone fairly, helping others, paying your debts and not judging people. She had a stern hand but a heart of gold and was always very accepting, caring and supportive in any family situation. Agnes always made everyone feel loved and welcomed to the family. She loved all her grandchildren and always wanted to know how and what they were all doing. She would often share stories of days passed, like farming with a team of horses, and the many changes she has seen in her lifetime. Agnes would comment how she lived in a different time where things were done differently and everything was used and not wasted. She remembered several home remedies from her father and would often share them with family. She never believed in vitamins and she would say, "everything you need to stay healthy is in the garden." Agnes herself was an avid gardener, canning everything from her garden. She also baked delicious breads and made sausage. She enjoyed singing Christmas songs in German, fishing, playing cards, watching the "Price is Right" with Bob Barker and simply visiting with family, friends and neighbors. Agnes was a member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers at White Earth and Homemakers group.

Surviving Agnes are her four sons: Richard (Mary) of Sheldon, WA, Raymond, Clarence and Albin all of Mahnomen, MN; two daughters, Barbara (Charles) Hennen of Rockville, MN, and Margaret (James) Jirava of Ogema, MN; nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and ten great- great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Mary (John) Reller of Worthington, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Agnes is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; two half-brothers, Peter and Anton Horner; brothers: Lawrence, Rochus and John Bitz; sisters: Alisia Becker, Katherine Vogel, Eva Braun and Magdalena (Mary) Schwartzenberger.