Fannie McGee

Fannie Olga Sowder was born February 6, 1916 in Cashel Township in Swift County, MN, the daughter of John and Rosie Lena (Vaught) Sowder. As a child Fannie lived in several communities in west central Minnesota, where her father farmed. Following her schooling she worked for several families as a nanny before moving to Minneapolis to completed her education in nursing at the University of Minnesota. She worked for the University of Minnesota until World War II, when she went to work at Honeywell making lenses for the armed services. After the war, Fannie began her nursing career at the hospital in Marshall, MN and later at the Swift County Hospital in Benson. For several years she worked as a nurse in Benson for doctors Holm & Nelson and later doctors Nelson & Skaife. Fannie also worked for Jennie-O in Willmar and Fingerhut in Benson. She retired in the later 1970?s. On August 20, 1949 Fannie was united in marriage to Michael McGee in St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, MN. The couple was blessed with two children, Joe and Deborah. After Michael?s death in 1970, Fannie moved to Kensington, MN in 1986 to be closer to her family. In 2001 Fannie moved to Alexandria, MN and resided at the Knute Nelson Home. Fannie was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Benson and also a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson where she had served as a mission group member. Fannie enjoyed knitting, crocheting and needlework. She also spent time doing ceramics, painting and other handicrafts. Fannie?s children and grandchildren were very important to her. On Thursday, January 24, 2008 Fannie died at the age of ninety-one years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael McGee; parents; and four sisters, Lela Stensby, Pearl Hopman, Ethel Fagerstrom and Dorathia Sowder. Fannie is survived by her son, Joe and wife, Sandra McGee, of Crystal, MN; her daughter, Deborah and husband, Terry Randt, of Kensington; grandchildren Shawn McGee, Ryan McGee, Kelly McGee Michael Randt, Joshua Randt, Missy Randt and Brian Randt; step grandchildren Brittany Randt and Krista Randt; and great grandchildren, Liam Guilmette and Will McGee; and several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Knute Nelson Chapel at 10:30AM. Interment will in the Benson City Cemetery in Benson, MN at 1:30PM this Saturday. Chapel. Reverend Jim Oakland will officiate. Music will be provided by Kim Byrne. Casket bearers include all of Fannie?s grandchildren. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN.