Pauline Fagre

Fagre, Pauline

MIDDLETON – Pauline Fagre, 89, of Middleton, passed away on April 30, 2021, at UW Hospital, Madison. Polly was born in Bell, Calif., the youngest child of Pierre and Alvilda (Solwold) Albertson. She graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, Calif., where she was prom queen. Her midwestern roots drew her to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and then to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. There she met Ivan Fagre, a World War II veteran and Luther Seminary student. Married in June 1952 at Hope Lutheran Church, their honeymoon in Norway as summer school students was the first of many international adventures together. She graduated from UMN in March 1953 with a B.S. in education and gave birth to their first child a month later.

She married a kindred soul in Ivan, who was the love of her life, and as they traveled the world together, they built a strong and solid marriage. After his ordination in 1956, they moved to Japan as missionaries with two toddler sons. Their three daughters were later born there. Raising five children in post-war Japan was a challenge but Polly made it look easy and fun. They returned in 1968, settling their family in Northfield, a community they loved. In 1977, with four of their children off at college, they moved to the Bavarian Alps and spent several wonderful years while Ivan served as pastor for a local Lutheran congregation. She embraced this culture as well as many others, although Norway always held a special place for them. Returning once again to Northfield, they both worked for St. Olaf; she was a college librarian for many years. They were active members of St. John's Lutheran Church and cherished their many close Northfield friends. In retirement, they loved visiting their far-flung children and continued to travel abroad whenever possible.

Polly created a warm and supportive family life wherever she lived, moving to 12 different homes over the years. She was a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. Her passion for her grandkids was also unmistakable. She loved sending children's books to all 11 of them and never forgot a birthday. Their home in Northfield was the focal point of many happy family gatherings. She was an avid lifelong reader of books and newspapers who also collected folk art, international dolls, and bells. As an artist, she made fine Norwegian sweaters, quilts, clever birthday cakes, and holiday specialties.

In 2013, Polly and Ivan moved to Middleton to be closer to family and loved sharing that multi-generational, energetic life with them. Polly tenderly cared for Ivan until his death in 2014. She thought often about her beloved relatives back in California and always showed a spark of her internal California sunshine. Whether sharing ethics or world events, Polly could be both determined and flexible but always focused on the things that really matter. She will be remembered for her warm-hearted, thoughtful, curious, articulate and spiritual nature. She is already greatly missed.

In addition to her husband and parents, Polly was predeceased by siblings, Erling Albertson, Hedy Niemeyer and Solveig Dahl. She is survived by a sister, Muriel Bates of Santa Monica, Calif.; and brother, Arne (Joan) Albertson of Eugene, Ore. She leaves behind her children, Daniel (Ann) Fagre of West Glacier, Mont., Nathan (Connie) Fagre of Middleton, Anitra (Tom) Waldo of Juneau, Alaska, Leslie (Eric) Fagre Poppele of Santa Fe, N.M., and Ingrid (Kent) Miller of Florence, Mont. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Casey (Matt) Kohn, Danielle (Erik Nelson) Fagre, Matthew (Emily) Fagre, Christian, Alex and Ben Fagre, Lars (Charlsy) Waldo, Nick Waldo, Jasper and Eli Poppele, and Justin Miller; as well as her great-grandson, Tommy Waldo; and many dear nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 500 Third St. W., Northfield, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021.

Her family is grateful to the medical professionals of UW Health for the excellent and attentive care she received over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Doctors Without Borders, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761