Andrea Blackwelder

Memorial services for Andrea Blackwelder of Chokio, MN will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio, with Reverend Robert Amundson officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in the Chokio Lutheran Cemetery.

Andrea Leone Rixe was born on July 11, 1941, in Graceville, Minnesota, to Max and Mary (Whelan) Rixe. She was raised on the family farm near Johnson, Minnesota, and attended the parochial school in Graceville and then high school, graduating with the Graceville High School class of 1959. Following her education, Andrea worked as a telephone operator and a bank teller. On February 16, 1963, Andrea was united in marriage to Earl Blackwelder in Graceville, Minnesota. She continued to work at the bank, until she began working on the farm with Earl. Andrea would milk cows, feed calves, all of the bookwork, and make the meals, all while raising their two sons: Mark and Jason. Earl and Andrea continued to work together for over 30 years, and very proudly passed down their work ethic and farm to their children and grandchildren. They remained on the farm until 1997, when Earl and Andrea moved into Chokio.

Andrea was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio; she helped with Vacation Bible School, was in the choir, on the Environmental Arts committee, the Treasurer of Our Savior’s Women, she coordinated the annual bake sale and was the Funeral Committee Co-Chair for over 25 years. Andrea was active with the Senior Center and was a very good bowler – especially when it came to beating Earl! Most importantly, Andrea cherished the time that was spent with her family. She and Earl would spend winters in Arizona, but after a few years, they stopped because she missed the grandkids too much. They would go camping with their grandkids and later, Andrea would watch two of her great-grandchildren after school. She loved her family and all of the time they spent together.

Andrea passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Grace Home in Graceville, MN; she was 83 years old.

Andrea is survived by her sons: Mark (Amy) Blackwelder of Chokio and Jason Blackwelder of Marion, SD; three grandchildren: Brett (Callie) Blackwelder of Chokio, Katelyn (Kelly) Engquist of West Fargo, ND and Kent Blackwelder of Chokio; four great-grandchildren: Lyla Blackwelder, Max Blackwelder, Kennedy Engquist and Nora Blackwelder; siblings: Roger Rixe of St. Cloud and Marie Rixe of St. Paul; sister-in-law: Greta Blackwelder of Bentonville, AR and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl: her parents: Max and Mary Rixe; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Walter and Darline Blackwelder; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Arloa and Jim Ironside, Gene Blackwelder, and Maynard and Arline Erickson.

The family extends their deep appreciation and gratitude to the staff of Grace Home and Vivie Hospice for the wonderful, compassionate care shown to Andrea and their family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Chokio Lutheran Cemetery.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Andrea. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.pedersenfh.com.