Fanchon Bertrand

Fanchon Elaine was born on December 11, 1913 in rural Sleepy Eye, MN the daughter of James M. Mathilda (Fehmer) Barnes. She grew up near Sleepy Eye and attended country schools and later attended Sleepy Eye Public High School where she graduated in 1931. After high school Fanchon attended the American Business College and returned to Sleepy Eye where she worked at the Farmers Creamery as a bookkeeper. She married Joseph Francis Bertrand on April 29, 1937 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. The couple made their home on the Bertrand family farm for 53 years. Joseph preceded her in death in 1989 and Fanchon moved to the Country Side Apartments in Sleepy Eye. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, C.C.W., Christian Mothers, the National Catholic Society of Foresters where she held an office for 26 years. She also was a member of the Sleepy Eye Hospital Auxiliary, a life member of the Brown County Historical Society and a past member of the East Home Extension Group. Fanchon enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, flowers, reading and playing cards. Fanchon E. Bertrand, 92, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Monday, October 9, 2006 at Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye, MN Survivors include her children, Tom (Carolyn) Bertrand of New Ulm, Elayne (Dean) Meinert of Sleepy Eye and Ruth Lee Bertrand of Red Wing, MN , 5 grandchildren, Jay, Janelle, Jacque, Kendra Beau, 7 great-grandchildren, Justin, Christopher, Brianna, Tess, Tate, Nicole Brittany and a brother, William Barnes of Novato, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph, brothers, Robert and Collin Barnes and sister, Beatrice Schottenbauer.