Yvonne Draxten

Yvonne Draxten, 89, of Fergus Falls, died June 12, 2025 at PioneerCare.

Yvonne was born September 4th, 1935 in Starbuck, MN, daughter of Fred and Hazel Van Sickle. She was the oldest of their 7 children. Yvonne went to school in Fergus Falls, MN and was the final class to graduate from the Washington High school.

She married Olaf Draxten on September 4, 1955 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Ole was a volunteer fireman and following their wedding ceremony, they were "paraded in their wedding gear" down Lincoln Avenue atop the "Buffalo" fire truck.

In 1981, Ole and Vonnie moved to Indian Lake where family and friends enjoyed Sunday dinners, Easter egg hunts and campfire cookouts in the woods. Vonnie so enjoyed her lake neighbors and was a constant hostess! Family enjoyed Sunday dinners nearly every week and there was always room for extra guests.

She and Ole tended lovely gardens of all kinds and became known for her bouquets of Gladiolas which she would bring to church almost every Sunday. Those flowers would almost always go home with someone who needed a little bright spot in their home!

More than anything, Vonnie was known for her bright smile and friendly welcome. So many remember her greeting them as receptionist at Norwest Bank in Fergus Falls. She loved her job there as it allowed her to visit with and get to know so many people. She never let anyone spend a holiday alone and through her kindness made friends with people from across the country and even around the world. She loved getting to know the Norwegian students who attended Hillcrest Lutheran Academy each year and opening her home to them...sometimes more than 20 at a meal! She also loved to entertain the Seminary students and their wives and children. Often, they were holiday guests and became dear friends. One Seminary student from Africa even named his daughter after her! She also dearly loved missions and often entertained missionaries when they were home from the mission field.

In 2012, Ole and Vonnie moved back to Fergus Falls, where Vonnie lived until December 2024. The door to their town home was always open and she often had dorm students from Hillcrest come and spend Sunday afternoons with them. She kept inviting guests and offering her home as a place to gather. Even when she stopped cooking, she kept inviting and just had the meal catered!

Vonnie deeply loved her family. She was fiercely proud of her 5 grandchildren and rarely missed a game or event of any kind. She was known for singing the Otter fight song, "Maroon and Gold" louder than anyone in the gym. Her family grew to include 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson.

And most important to her, was her love for her Lord. She was bold and steadfast in her faith. She shared her love of Jesus at every opportunity saying, "I can love them to the Lord!" As a family we hear over and over from so many, how she impacted their life, how she befriended and supported them...and how deeply she will be missed and tenderly remembered.

She is survived by her son, Brian (Lori) of Fergus Falls, daughter Mary (John) Paulson of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren, Peter (Kim) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Luke (Courtney) Draxten of Fergus Falls, Matthew (Michelle) Draxten of Moorhead, MN, Hannah (Derrick) Clark of Fergus Falls and Kate (Josh) Haus of Fergus Falls, 17 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, sisters Darlene and Dawn and brother Chuck, sister in law Coral Draxten and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethel Missions or Inspiration Bible Camp.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 20, 2025 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Pastor Rich Iverson

Interment: Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Dane Prairie Township, rural Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com