Theresa Mae Askelson

Theresa Mae Askelson, of Spring Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully at her home on October 4, 2025, surrounded by her children.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on October 7, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caledonia, Minn., with Reverend Andrew Vogel officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church, and a luncheon will follow in the church hall. Christian burial will take place at Trinity Cemetery in Spring Grove. Roble Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Theresa was born on October 19, 1932, in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. A standout student and athlete, she graduated as salutatorian of Harpers Ferry High School, where she also earned Iowa All-State honors as a forward on the basketball team. After completing an apprenticeship with the Milwaukee Road Railroad, she served as a depot agent and telegraph operator at several locations along the Mississippi River in Northeast Iowa. She concluded her 15-year railroad career as the depot agent in Spring Grove.

On May 26, 1956, she married Lowell R. (Robert “Bob”) Askelson, and together they raised their five children in Spring Grove. Since 1951 Theresa was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as serving as a Junior Legion Auxiliary Leader and Girl Scout Leader. In 1983, following Bob’s 32-year career with the United States Postal Service, the couple launched Frank-ly Country Favorites, a craft business combining Theresa’s talents as a seamstress with Bob’s skill as a woodworker. Together, they created handcrafted checkerboards, Santas, wool sheep, dolls, and many other cherished pieces. Their work can be found in homes and businesses across the country. Theresa continued operating the business until her 90th birthday.

Theresa is survived by her children: Lynn Wilson of Rochester, Minn.; Renita (Bill) Trouten of Minnetonka, Minn.; Robert (Terry) Askelson of Norwalk, Iowa; Ann (Brent) Silva of Elizabeth Lake, Calif.; and John (Lee) Askelson of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. She is also lovingly remembered by her seven grandchildren: Lisa Wilson, Gregory Wilson, Michelle Wilson, Stephanie Tonnar, Michael Sinclair, Katherine Chicoine and Kimberly Schimek; as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents William and Inez (Martelle) Frank, and nine siblings: Mary Wilson, William Frank Jr., Margaret Ann Smith, Betty Bandel, Priscilla Bagnek, James Frank, Anthony Frank, Paul Frank and Anita Frank. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia, Minn.