Minnie Kreitz Ozmun was born October 16, 1912, at home in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Michael and Olga (Thon) Kreitz. As a young girl she moved with her family to Rosemount where they farmed. She attended country school through the seventh grade and actively helped the family with the chores - often as the cook making breakfast. In 1925, her family returned to St. Paul and Minnie attended Monroe Junior High. She was confirmed in St. Paul and while in 8th grade, her family returned to farming in Rosemount and she attended country school - walking 2 miles every day. After school and on Saturdays she worked at the farm across the road for 35 cents an hour. Soon the family returned to Northfield on a farm East of town and after her education Minnie worked as a housekeeper.

In March 1930 Minnie met Frank Ozmun and in September, her mother Olga died. On December 13, 1930, she and Frank were married in Northfield. After a brief honeymoon to Iowa, they moved in with his parents South of town. Frank worked for area farmers and over the years they lived and worked at various farms in the area. Frankie was born in May 1931, and Raymond was born in January 1933. In November 1934, Donna was born, and they started farming on their own. In November 1936, Dorothy "Boots" was born and in July 1941, Richard was born. In 1942, they decided to have an auction and quit farming.

In 1944, they bought a house on North Linden Street in Northfield. In 1947, Minnie started working at the Castle Gardens. Eugene was born in November 1947. She worked on and off for several years at Castle Gardens and in April 1951, Jerry was born. A few years later she started doing ironing in her home and working as a housekeeper for others. In March 1957, Frank had a heart attack. They lived in Northfield until 1968, when they built their home on the North side of Lake Byllesby. In January 1969, Minnie began working at the College City Motel, until retiring in 1977. Frank passed away in November 1984 and Minnie remained at home until moving to Northfield in April 2007. She had been a resident of the Long Term Care Center since January 2008.

Minnie was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and active in Circle. She was a former member of the Waterford Ladies Aid and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed cross stitch, crafts, playing cards, playing bingo and visiting with family and friends. Minnie was loving, caring and a wonderful cook and baker. She greatly loved and enjoyed her family and she will be dearly missed.

Survivors include 7 children and their spouses: Frank and Janis of Northfield, Raymond & Mary of Northfield, Donna and Ken Post of Rapid City, South Dakota, Dorothy Johnson of Northfield, Richard and Donna of Northfield, Eugene and Lois of Danbury, Wisconsin, Jerry and Barb of Apple Valley; 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren; several step-grand & step-great-grandchildren; her sister, Dorothy Stauffer of Rosemount; 2 brothers-in-law, Harry Baker of Northfield, Harvey Ozmun of Farmington; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her sons-in-law, Ron Fredrickson and James Johnson; daughter-in-law, Rosella Ozmun; her grandson, Eugene Martin Ozmun; 3 great-grandsons; her sisters, Helen Linkert and Louise Hanson; her brothers, Henry and Arthur Kreitz; and one brother in infancy.

Minnie passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday morning, July 13, 2010, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 97.

Funeral services will be 11AM Friday, July 16, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Music will be provided by Daniel Fenn & Harriet Menard. Interment will be in Meadow Ridge Cemetery, Faribault. Casket bearers will be Judeen Gorr, Barb Swenson, Kevin Fredrickson, Dan Johnson, Rhonda Schillinger, Lynette Staie and Paul Ozmun. Honorary pall bearers are Minnie’s other grandchildren. Visitation will be 4-7PM Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue on Friday at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.