1921
Agnes
2006
Agnes May
September 23, 1921 — November 11, 2006
Agnes Amelia (Tober) May was born on September 23, 1921, on a farm in Roberts County, near Sisseton, SD, to parents, Jacob, who arrived in the U.S. in 1906 at Ellis Island and Alvina (Witt) Tober, who arrived in 1910, both German/Russian Immigrants. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith, on October 16, 1921, and her Baptismal Certificate reads in German. She was later confirmed on August 9, 1936. As a young girl, she attended bible school which was also taught in German. At a young age, Agnes went to live with her sister Emma and her husband Abel on their farm in Foster Township. She attended Country School in Foster Township and graduated on June 19, 1936.
Following her education, Agnes worked in the Ortonville Produce Store and also did some house cleaning for area residents. While working in the Produce Store, Agnes met Harold May. On February 8, 1941, Agnes and Harold were married at the First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. The couple made their home in Ortonville and were blessed with three children, Harold Jr., Gale, and Julie. To help support her family, Agnes began sewing clothing and upholstering furniture for people of the community. She became very skilled and made many wedding dresses and brides maid dresses for area weddings while her sister would make the wedding cakes. Her quality of work upholstering furniture was so outstanding people from as far as the Cities would bring furniture to her to have it reupholstered. Agnes took great pride in her work and in doing so, helped support those she loved dearly.
Following the death of her husband, Harold in December 1972, Agnes moved to Minneapolis to take care of her sister Dorothy whose health was failing. She also managed a 60 unit apartment building in New Hope, MN, for nearly 18 years in which she made many new friends. Agnes was a very self reliant and self sufficient person. In her spare time, She enjoyed to cook and was never afraid to try new recipies. Some of her favorite dishes to make were "Tober Soup" Scoby cake, butterscotch Pies, and many other deserts for her family and friends. In her spare time, Agnes loved to sew and crochet and do embroidery work. She also really enjoyed the visits from her nieces and nephews, and they were always so kind to include her in all of their family activities.
In 2001, due to health reasons, Agnes returned to Ortonville where she lived with her daughter Julie and her husband, Roger. She remained active gardening and cooking and she also embroidered many table runners, pillow cases, afghans, and other treasures which she loved to give as gifts to her family. Agnes also enjoyed being very active in the Day of Love group at First English Lutheran Church.
Agnes passed away Saturday, November 11, 2006, at the Ortonville Hospital in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 85 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Alvina; her husband, Harold; three brothers, and four sisters.
Agnes is survived by her children Col. Harold (Jennie) May Jr. (USAF Retired) of Des Moines, IA; Gale May of Ortonville, MN; and Julie (Roger) Johnson of Ortonville, MN; six grandchildren, Kara, Deanna, and Matt Hutcheson of Des Moines, IA; Bill and Jennifer of Houston, TX; Shawn and Angie of Detroit Lakes, MN; Jim of Brookings, SD; and Jason of Shoreview, MN; seven great-grandchildren, Haylee, Johnathan, Jack, Isabelle, William, Anna, and Lauren; one sister, Emma Eastman; and a brother-in-law, Art Bruss; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Following her education, Agnes worked in the Ortonville Produce Store and also did some house cleaning for area residents. While working in the Produce Store, Agnes met Harold May. On February 8, 1941, Agnes and Harold were married at the First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. The couple made their home in Ortonville and were blessed with three children, Harold Jr., Gale, and Julie. To help support her family, Agnes began sewing clothing and upholstering furniture for people of the community. She became very skilled and made many wedding dresses and brides maid dresses for area weddings while her sister would make the wedding cakes. Her quality of work upholstering furniture was so outstanding people from as far as the Cities would bring furniture to her to have it reupholstered. Agnes took great pride in her work and in doing so, helped support those she loved dearly.
Following the death of her husband, Harold in December 1972, Agnes moved to Minneapolis to take care of her sister Dorothy whose health was failing. She also managed a 60 unit apartment building in New Hope, MN, for nearly 18 years in which she made many new friends. Agnes was a very self reliant and self sufficient person. In her spare time, She enjoyed to cook and was never afraid to try new recipies. Some of her favorite dishes to make were "Tober Soup" Scoby cake, butterscotch Pies, and many other deserts for her family and friends. In her spare time, Agnes loved to sew and crochet and do embroidery work. She also really enjoyed the visits from her nieces and nephews, and they were always so kind to include her in all of their family activities.
In 2001, due to health reasons, Agnes returned to Ortonville where she lived with her daughter Julie and her husband, Roger. She remained active gardening and cooking and she also embroidered many table runners, pillow cases, afghans, and other treasures which she loved to give as gifts to her family. Agnes also enjoyed being very active in the Day of Love group at First English Lutheran Church.
Agnes passed away Saturday, November 11, 2006, at the Ortonville Hospital in Ortonville, MN, reaching the age of 85 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Alvina; her husband, Harold; three brothers, and four sisters.
Agnes is survived by her children Col. Harold (Jennie) May Jr. (USAF Retired) of Des Moines, IA; Gale May of Ortonville, MN; and Julie (Roger) Johnson of Ortonville, MN; six grandchildren, Kara, Deanna, and Matt Hutcheson of Des Moines, IA; Bill and Jennifer of Houston, TX; Shawn and Angie of Detroit Lakes, MN; Jim of Brookings, SD; and Jason of Shoreview, MN; seven great-grandchildren, Haylee, Johnathan, Jack, Isabelle, William, Anna, and Lauren; one sister, Emma Eastman; and a brother-in-law, Art Bruss; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.