Inez Okerlund

Inez Mae Okerlund, 96, died Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria under the care of Hospice of Douglas County.

Inez Mae Jones was born July 29, 1921 near Argyle, MN to Tillie and David Jones.  The family moved to Alexandria where she received her education and graduated from high school in 1940.  After graduation, she attended Beauty College in Mankato, MN.  During her time there she was seriously injured in an automobile accident and was brought back to Alexandria to recover. Inez met Leonard Okerlund and they were married on December 30, 1945.  Leonard was enlisted in the Navy, which became his lifelong career.  They lived in Florida, Rhode Island, Virginia, Michigan, California, and Ohio.  Their longest stay was in California.  In each state Inez would obtain her stylist license and work as a beautician. One thing about Inez is that her hair was always perfect!  In 1972 Inez and Leonard retired to Alexandria.  This was their home base as they traveled extensively in their many campers and RVs visiting friends and relatives and meeting new friends along the way.

Inez will be remembered for many things: her beautiful flowers and gardens, which filled the pantry with many canned goods.  She made beautiful crocheted afghans, doilies, knit slippers, and everyone’s favorite…embroidered dishtowels.  Inez was an exceptional cook and always had baked goods on hand with a good cup of coffee.  She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and was looking forward to this year’s spring training.  Her other favorite team was the Green Bay Packers and she was a very spirited fan which was sometimes difficult in the Viking territory, but she only cheered louder.

Inez is survived by sister-in-laws, Rozall Verdugt of Alexandria, Verdella Floding of Albertville, and Viola Nelson. Many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews dear to her.  Very special families: Cary, Cindy, Chris, Carrie, Aubrie and Allie Johnson; CJ, Carly, and Jack Erickson.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Leonard; parents; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Kenneth Erickson; brother-in-laws, Earl, Floyd, David, Chester Okerlund, Lou Fine and Frank Verdugt; sister-in-laws Lucille Fine, Mildred and Marcella Okerlund.

A Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 11 AM at the Alexandria United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery.