Lenora Volker

Lenora Volker, age 93, of Herman, Minnesota passed away Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman, Minnesota with Rev. David Hanssen officiating. Organist will be Olivia Richards with special music provided by Greg Sperr.

Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, rural Herman. Pallbearers will be Lenora's grandsons: Tom Volker, Bradley Volker, Brian Volker, Eric Volker, Michael Volker, Tony Volker, Kyle Volker, Dustin Sperr and Evan Carlson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lenora's granddaughters: Rebecca Pruse, Jennifer Selander, Shelley Ricks, Ronda Blume, Glynis Nystrom, Olivia Volker and Ashley Carlson.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 15th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Lenora (Kjorness) Volker was born on April 14, 1922, at the farm home of her parents, Thorvald and Mabel (Peterson) Kjorness, in Sanford Township near Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Lenora was baptized and confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake by Rev. O. Aasen. She grew up in Sanford and Delaware Townships and attended rural schools. Lenora received her 8th grade diploma on June 28, 1935 at the age of 13. After graduation, Lenora helped "Ma & Pa" on the farm, as well as helping out her siblings and neighbors.

Lenora and Bernard Volker were united in marriage on January 5, 1944, at Ness Lutheran Church parsonage in Elbow Lake, Minnesota by Rev. O. Aasen. Bernard and Lenora shared sixty-seven years of marriage until Bernard passed away on May 2, 2011. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Lenora and Bernard were dairy farmers, and in 1950 bought their own farm in Delaware Township, from Bernard's aunt and uncle, Allert and Minnie DeVries. Lenora enjoyed her life on the farm and working outside with Bernard, she was not afraid of hard work. She raised thousands of chickens over the years, using the egg money to buy groceries for her growing family. Lenora was an avid gardener and enjoyed harvesting, and preserving many vegetables and fruits for her family. She was a meticulous gardener and in later years grew numerous varieties of beautiful flowers. She was a great cook, preparing hearty meals for family and harvest crews. In addition to gardening, Lenora enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, and watching Wheel of Fortune. She looked forward to the many visits by her family. Family was important to Lenora. She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Blessed be her memory.

Lenora was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bernard; son James; sisters: Mildred Schuman and Delores Moldenhauer; and brothers: Theodore and Raymond.

Lenora is survived by her loving children: Gary (Linda) Volker of Herman; Dennis (JoAnn) Volker of Morris, Minnesota; Richard Volker of Alexandria, Minnesota; Ronald (Sherry) Volker of Herman; and JoAn (Richard) Carlson of Waconia, Minnesota; grandchildren: Tom (Verna) Volker of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rebecca Pruse of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Jennifer (John) Selander of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Shelley (Tony) Ricks of Covington, Louisiana; Brian Volker of Alexandria, Minnesota; Bradley (Rachael) Volker of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota; Eric Volker of Alexandria, Minnesota; Ronda (Kevin) Blume of Herman; Michael (Jessica) Volker of Herman; Tony and Kyle Volker of Herman; Dustin Sperr of Elbow Lake, Minnesota; Glynis (Lucas) Nystrom of Fargo, North Dakota; Olivia Volker of Hoffman, Minnesota; and Ashley and Evan Carlson of Waconia, Minnesota; great-grandchildren: Avery, Jonah, Simon, Sage, Dakota, Grace, Lila, Esme, Shantel, Rose, Tim, Ryan, Ella, Zachary and Faye; sisters: Linda Rarer and Dorothy Fabian; sister-in-law: Eunice Kjorness; and brother in-law Donald Moldenhauer.