Lynn M. Leraaen of St. Ansgar, Iowa, formerly of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, gained her wings on April 17, 2018, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Our loving Lynn was 61 years young.

The crazy talented, heart of gold, ridiculously proud and doting grandmother Lynn Marie was born Nov. 13, 1956, to Dale and Frances (O’Connor) Njos of Blooming Prairie. She quickly found her niche working with her hands as a hair stylist and later a culinary genius at JC Penney and Regis and Rainbow Foods. Her baking, gardening and sewing produced memorable creations and reaped requests from family and friends who could never get enough. Her last and most fulfilling position was at The Hormel Institute caring for the smallest of creatures with love and compassion.

On March 23, 2000, Lynn married the love of her life, her warrior and protector Eric Leraaen. Their love and devotion saw Lynn through some of her toughest years as she battled cancer and the side effects that destroyed her body. Lynn and Eric enjoyed the company of their pups, the late Sally, and her comforter and love, Susie. Lynn kept their house full and smelling delicious with her treasured and rather expansive Barbie collection, candle burning and “goodie” eating. No one ever questioned when Lynn was missing as she was out scavenging for the “perfect” rock or finding hidden treasures in the most unlikely places.

Lynn was known for her quick wit, unconditional love and kind heart. She was always asking what she could do for someone else (even in her final days, assuring the nurses she was fine and inquiring as to what they might need from her). Her children and grandchildren brought her tremendous joy. She thoroughly enjoyed her “sister” weekends, got a kick out of innocent banter and enjoyed the simple things with a kindred spirit. She believed in Jesus Christ and knew she would be safe in the loving arms of her Creator.

Lynn is survived by her loving husband, Eric; her children, Brent (Valerie) Christensen, Mindy (Jason) Ellingson, Bradley Bush and Benji (Nina) Bush; her grandchildren, Caden Christensen, Spencer and Samuel Christensen, Danielle Bush and Matthew Ellingson and Kayd, Kash and Max Bush; her mother, Fran (Dennis) Njos-Bramsted; stepmother Gloria Njos; siblings, Kelly (Pat) Njos, Lori Erickson, Cindy (Steve) Guttormson, Carol (Rick) Reid, Jerry (Cindy) Njos and Amy (Gomer) Johnson- Bleeke; her sister-in-law, Nancy Johnson; brother-in-law, Scott Leraaen; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was welcomed by her son, John; her father, Dale; her sister, Connie; her brother-in-law, Mark; her in-laws, Bud and Bev Leraaen; and her beloved grandparents.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Tom Niehaus officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Blooming Prairie City Cemetery. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.

The family extends their gratitude to Mercy Medical Center North Iowa for the loving and tireless work and compassion they gave to Lynn in her final hours. A special thanks to Chaplain Ross Erickson, her extraordinary nurse Mark, and her last, and most cherished, Dr. Curtis Gedney.

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you, and whispered, “Come to Me.”  With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.