Agnes Kathryn (Klein) Oxton, 98, Sauk Rapids

August 13, 1917 - April 21, 2016

Agnes Kathryn (Klein) Oxton, age 98, Sauk Rapids, MN, died Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Country Manor Care Center, Sartell, MN.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Burial will be in Finley Cemetery, Finley, ND.

Agnes was born on August 13, 1917 to George and Frances (Fellner) Klein in St. Anthony, ND. She began school at the age of 4 in a one-room schoolhouse with her mother as her teacher. Agnes attended high school for three years in Sturgeon Bay, WI and graduated from Mandan High School at the age of 16 in 1934. She went on to graduate from Valley City Teacher’s College in 1938 and to teach in Hague, ND. Agnes married John Howard Oxton on November 30, 1940 and lived in Mound City, SD and several North Dakota cities until settling in Dickinson where she taught high school girls phy-ed, was chair of the English department and finally worked as a school guidance counselor. After retirement, Agnes served on the Dickinson Library Board, helping to lay groundwork for a beautiful new library there. She enjoyed traveling, swimming, the Old Ladies, the Badlands, movies and having her family come for summer visits! Moving to St. Cloud in 2000, she lived at Ridgeview Place and was instrumental in helping to establish regular exercise classes and a monthly newsletter. Agnes provided an article in that newsletter each month until her death. Her best teaching tricks were captured in a book on English grammar entitled “Whom Done It?” She loved a good book, crossword puzzles, documentaries, e-mailing, spicy food and family gatherings. Being a Mom, Grandma and a Great-Grandma brought her the greatest joy!

Agnes lived a simple, grace-filled life that inspired others. She was content, curious, accepting of life’s changes and fully engaged with whatever each day would bring.

She is survived by her son John (Jane) Oxton, St. Cloud, MN; grandchildren Jeffrey (Edith) Oxton, Sartell, MN; Katie (Mike) Christensen, Alexandria, MN; Anne (Jeff) Gordon, Andover, MN; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Kylie, Wyatt, Owen, Kalen, Zachary and Easton; adopted brother Sam (Mae) Porter along with special nephews and nieces

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 40 years, Howard in 1981, sister Leone, brother Robert, and great-grandson Jackson.

The family wishes to thank Ridegview staff and Dr. Cash for their many years of loving care, and Country Manor Rehab for their kind support in recent weeks.

The family will designate memorials to Ridgeview activities, Dickinson library, and breast cancer research.