Franciska Marie Wahlin was born December 13, 1928, in Moorhead, MN, to Victor and Alpha (Kirkhorn) Ramstad--the first of 5 daughters. She died at the Sauve home in Barnesville, MN, Thursday, April 30, 2015.

She grew up in Wahpeton, ND, where her father was a pharmacist. The family also enjoyed a cabin at Battle Lake MN, where Fran enjoyed summers with her family and friends. She worked in her father's drugstore helping at the soda fountain and other duties. Significant influences growing up in Wahpeton were her parents, grandparents, belonging to "Temple Builders" (a grade school group at Her Bethel Lutheran Church) and Luther League. She was also a Girl Scout and later a Girl Scout Leader. She was baptized January 9, 1929 and later confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Fran graduated from Moorhead State Teacher's College in 1950, and taught school in Grand Forks, ND, for one year prior to her marriage to John Wahlin on June 24, 1952, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton. She continued teaching and learning from her children and grandchildren. Fran and John were blessed with four children, John Reid, Shelley Sue, Christopher Todd and Gail Franciska.

Fran was an active member of Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN. She taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of WELCA. She served faithfully. She was active in Teen's Encounter Christ program, where she shared and grew in faith. She also belonged to the League of Women Voters and served on the Bear Park Township Board. John and Fran were active in the National Farmer's Organization and Farmer's Union, fighting for fair prices for the products they grew. Fran and John were privileged to host Jairo Guttierrez (Foreign Exchange Student) and later his sister, Maria. Fran taught Maria the English language. They welcomed several other children into their home. John and Fran loved to square dance and downhill ski. There are good memories of several ski trips with the friends and family. Fran made sure all of her children learned to swim. They spent as much time as possible at Strawberry Lake near Detroit Lakes. They were dairy farmers until they retired so they taught their children the value of hard work. Fran had a love for reading anything she could get her hands on. Her Bible was worn and she knew scripture by heart. Fran was a tremendous prayer warrior who was known to "pray without ceasing". She was confident in the Grace, Love and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ. She also had an architect class in college and designed a beautiful addition to their home.


Fran was an Emergency Medical Technician with County EMS for many years. She comforted and helped her friends and neighbors when they were in health crisis. Many times John would drive Fran right to the scene.

Her family has wonderful memories of "Mom" in the kitchen and garden. She was a great cook and always had dinner ready for her children when they got off the bus. Always the first word when coming home from school were "Mom, where are you?" She took care of her grandchildren whenever called upon, helping her children to work, further their careers or just take a little vacation.


Franciska is survived by her children: Shelley Wahlin Quinlan (Robert), McIntosh, MN, Christopher Wahlin (Karla), Crookston, MN, and Gail Sauve (Randy), Barnesville, MN; grandchildren: Benjamin Tuseth- Brionna and Taryn, Melissa Meyer (Josh) – Aubrey, Kolton, Emery, Joseph Tuseth; Josh Wahlin (Jennifer- Taydem, Jesse Wahlin (fiancé Alecia), Katrina Wahlin (fiancé Brent), Kenley Wahlin (Mandi), Kayla Benson (Jersey), Kamille Wahlin, Alex Sauve (Amanda)- Crosby and Ellie Mae, Claire Grunewald (Tyler)- Maggie, Harrison, Jonas Sauve (fiancé Denage), Peter, Graham and Ben Sauve; step granddaughter, Katie (Quinlan) (Justin) Vaccari- Samuel; two sisters: Shirley (Jack) Neese, Battle Lake, MN, and Verona (Douglas) Betlach, Perham, MN, numerous nieces and nephews and her cat, Annie, who now lives with Jesse. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, December 8, 2014, her son Reid, January 25, 2015, sisters Mina and Sue.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015, at 11 am in the Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN.

Visitation will be on Sunday, May 10, 2015, from 4-6 PM in the Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN.

Burial will be in the Faaberg Lutheran Cemetery, Rindal, MN.