Walene E. (Maturen) Fairbanks, 79, St. Cloud

September 11, 1936 - October 20, 2015

Walene E. (Maturen) Fairbanks, age 79, of St. Cloud, MN, died Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, MN.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2015, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN. A time for sharing will take place at the church immediately following the service. Internment of ashes will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2015, in Rosemount Cemetery, Rosemount, MN.

Walene was born on September 11, 1936, in St. Paul, MN. She was raised by her loving parents, Walter and J. Nora (Olsen) Maturen, in Rosemount. Walene was married to Kenneth E. Fairbanks on August 12, 1955, in Rosemount. The couple owned and operated the Fair-Banks Resort on Cotton Lake. Walene also worked at Bergen's Floral and Gifts in Detroit Lakes, MN, for many years. She was a very active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She enjoyed quilting, being a member of the Fun Singers and the Red Hat Society, volunteering, cooking, and baking. Walene had a strong faith and more than anything enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her sons and daughters, Cyndi Sazama of Perham, MN; Craig (Carol Cumber) Fairbanks of Brookings, SD; Clark (Kathy Kruse) Fairbanks of Gillette, WY; Carla (Alan) Nicholson of New Richland, MN; ten grandchildren; Jen, Josh, Benjamin, Brady, Anthony, Tim, Devin, Tyler, Brandon and Cameron, and 10 great-grandchildren, with one to be born soon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth; son Christian; brother Charles Maturen; son-in-law Bill Sazama; daughter-in-law Lorene Fairbanks; and grand daughter-in-law Chasity Fairbanks.

In lieu of memorials the family asks that random acts of kindness be performed in Walene's memory.

Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.