Fran Cordes

Frances Louise Cordes, 88, of Red Wing, died Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the Benedictine Living Community in Red Wing.

She was born February 10, 1937 in Oakes, North Dakota to Hinnie and Fraukeline (Elsen) Volkers.

In 1955, she married Vernice “Vern” Cordes and the couple raised 4 daughters. Vern’s career was in the U.S. Air Force and Fran was a dedicated military wife. Together the family lived all over the United States, including Alaska, and abroad in the Philippines. During Vern’s many deployments, Fran found creative ways to maintain her family. She could fix anything. She was as comfortable with car maintenance as she was mending and sewing.

Fran loved babies and children. She worked as a cook at the Vasa Children’s Home and she volunteered to bring babies who had been adopted by American citizens back to the states from Korea. She enjoyed showing extra attention to children who had special needs. She was an attentive and loving grandmother and great-grandmother.

In her free time, she enjoyed traveling with her family. She also liked thrifting and had a good eye for unique treasures. She was also a talented cake baker and decorator. She made multiple wedding cakes, graduation cakes and christening cakes. She also sewed all of her daughter’s wedding dresses.

She is survived by daughters; Pamela (Scott) Bender of Red Wing, Lori (Alan) Hoyer of Bay City, and Diane (Kevin Eckblad) Holst of Dover, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; Kari (Aaron) Wing, Tyrell (Ali) Hoyer, Joy (Tony) White, Seth (Kelsey) Hoyer, Justin (Kristy) Gustafson, Chris (Linsy) Holst, Kory (Amanda) Holst, Staci (Jon) Chisholm, Alex (Candace) Hoyer, Mary (Max) Bender, Logan Bender, and Jessica (Ben) Spencer; and many great-grandchildren; sister Anna Johnson and brother, Herman Volkers.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Vern; daughter, Vickie Bergene; son-in-law, Keith Holst; infant brother, Bruce Volkers; brother, Carl Volkers; sisters, Mildred Anderson and Helen Willprecht; and her parents.

A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 22, 2025 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Amy Larson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial at Burnside Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com