Frances “Fran” Gillund, age 84, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. A private memorial service will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Interment will follow in the Lynd City Cemetery. A public visitation celebrating Fran’s life is pending and will be finalized once pandemic restrictions are loosened. Please watch for future announcements.
Frances Kor was born January 30, 1936, to parents Jans and Katie (Bodde) Kor, in rural Lynd. After graduating from Lynd High School, Fran waitressed at Mikes Café in Marshall where she met Edgar Gillund. The two were united in marriage on November 9, 1957 at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall. From that union, five children were born: Daryl, Jeff, Rick, Valerie and Melinda.
Fran was a loving homemaker and mother and she adored her family! She loved her country music, especially Johnny Cash – she even had her own guitar back in high school. She and Ed loved to dance to polka and other music. She loved her red lipstick and red nail polish. In 1965, Fran suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke, and had many physical obstacles to overcome. Even with her disabilities, she had such a joyful spirit and ready smile. There was an incredibly special warmth about her, and she will be dearly missed.
Fran was a faithful member of Christ United Presbyterian Church for many years and all five of her children were baptized and confirmed there.
Fran is survived by four children, Daryl (Julie) Gillund of Alexandria, Jeffrey (Meri Jo) Gillund of Maynard, Richard Gillund of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Valerie (Ronald) Vlaminck of Taunton; 7 grandchildren, Megan Hardesty of Richfield, Natalie (Forest) Becker of Minneapolis, Samuel Gillund of Minneapolis, Jeremy Knutson of Aberdeen, SD, Stephanie (John) Koons of Taunton, Keith Vlaminck of Taunton, and Erika (Thomas) MacArthur of Taunton; 6 great-grandchildren, Nora Finley, Tate and Blake Koons, and Lily, Liam, and Lincoln MacArthur; brothers, Don Kor and Howard (Donna) Kor; many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jans and Katie Kor; husband, Edgar Gillund; daughter, Melinda McDowell; brother, Wayne (Judi Meaden) Kor; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Kor.
Fran’s family would especially like to thank the staff at Morningside Heights for their loving care and for all the kindness shown to mom over the past five and one-half years that she resided there.