Eleanor Margaret Koecher

Eleanor Margaret Koecher, 88, Kerrick, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in Augustana Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake. She was born on September 26, 1922 in Duluth to Fred and Mary Fralich. At age 11, Eleanor moved with her parents to Barnum where she attended school. For a short time following high school, Eleanor lived in Portland, OR before moving back to Minnesota. She attended Beauty School in Duluth and also worked for Molin Truck Company. On December 6, 1947, Eleanor married Orville Koecher in Barnum. They lived in Kerrick where Eleanor was a homemaker through the years and also farmed and raised sheep with her husband. Eleanor was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid. She was a great cook and loved to teach her children and grandchildren how to cook and bake. Eleanor really enjoyed taking people out to lunch and she truly cared about everyone.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville in 2003; two brothers: Lawrence and Harry Fralich; a sister: Inez Hengel; and a great grandson: Tevin Richard Orville Graves.

Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Lee (Jean) Koecher of Cottage Grove; Lynn (Dan) Surla of Duluth; Janice (Dave) Gassert of Kerrick; and Joan (Jim) Anderson of Duluth; 16 Grandchildren; 21 Great Grandchildren; a sister: Jean (Everette) Koecher of Kerrick; 2 sisters-in-law: Delores Fralich of Alabama and Eleanor Fralich of Silver Bay; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation was from 6- 8 PM Sunday, July 17, 2011 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake and continue from 10 until the 11 AM funeral service on Monday, July 18, 2011 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bruno. Pastor Matthew Vrudny was the officiate. Following the service, there was a time of lunch and fellowship at the Duquette Hall. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Moose Lake at 3:00 PM on Monday.


Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.