Avis Froiland, 99, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN with Rev. Jonathan Dodson officiating. Burial will be held at Emardville Cemetery, Emardville Township, Red Lake County, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 PM with a Prayer Service 7:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Avis Sorenson was born on January 1, 1912 in Garnes Township, Red Lake County, MN the daughter of Carl and Bergit (Braaten) Sorenson. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith. She attended country school in Garnes Township and graduated from Pershing High School in Plummer, MN in 1930 as part of the 3rd graduating class. Avis then attended Normal Teachers Training in Moorhead, MN and returned to teach at the country school where she attended.

Avis taught at the country school for two years and then her mother died, so Avis stayed on the family farm to cook and care for her father, brothers and their hired men. She met her future husband, Arthur Froiland and they went together for ten years and were married on July 25, 1943 at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN.

The couple made their home in Emardville Township, and were blessed with two children, Richard and Marie. Avis and Art milked cows, and raised pigs and chickens. Avis stayed home while the kids were growing and eventually went to work at the Plummer School. They moved into Plummer in 1968 and their son, Rick took over the farm.

She loved spending time with her husband, making donuts, talking on the phone and sewing quilts. She kept sewing quilts even after her eyesight was failing. Avis was also a Plummer historian. She kept scrapbooks full of information about events that happened in the area.

Avis was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer where she was very active.

She is survived by one son, Richard (Arlene) Froiland of Plummer, MN, one daughter, Marie (Bill Swick) Foster, of St. Paul, MN, eight grandchildren: Dean (Leichen) Foster, Bloomington, IN, Beth (Rashed) Judeh, St. Paul, MN, Mike (Ginger) Foster, Osakis, MN, Greg Foster, Asheville, NC, Jerilee (Ben) Carpenter, Argusville, ND, Kerry (Griffin) Newland, Thief River Falls, MN, Shannon (Carroll) Bishop, Corcoran, MN, Ginger (Jason) Hruby, Thief River Falls, MN; 17 great grandchildren: Katherine and Bradley Foster, Katelyn and Danielle Foster, Ella Judeh, Lexi, Brock and Cole Carpenter, Derick, Jarin and Darian Newland, Dayton Nelson, Sterling and Arlee Bishop, Madeline, Logan and Gres Hruby; and several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur on March 15, 2002; parents; brothers and sisters, Cora Sorenson, Sarah Oberpriller, Edna Hill, Harry Sorenson, Iver Sorenson, John Sorenson, Neuben Sorenson and Orville Sorenson.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com