Frances Njos-Bramstedt, 91, Blooming Prairie

Frances “Fran” M. Njos-Bramstedt, age 91, of Blooming Prairie, passed away on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Frances Margaret O’Connor was born on June 9, 1935, in Rochester, to Thomas and Mary (Kruger) O’Connor. She attended country school and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1953. She later attended Austin Vo-Tech and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree in 1976. Fran began working at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin and enjoyed a nursing career spanning more than 30 years, caring for others in a variety of roles, including obstetrics and psychiatric nursing.

A lifelong resident of Blooming Prairie, Fran was proud to call the community home and cherished the friendships she built throughout the years.

In 1954, she married Dale Njos at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. Together they shared 20 years of marriage and were blessed with eight children. In 1994, Fran married Dennis Bramstedt in Austin, and the two shared many happy years together until her passing.

Fran found joy in both the simple pleasures of life and new adventures. She loved gardening, reading, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. An exceptional cook and baker, she delighted in preparing meals and treats for those she loved, and many treasured family memories were made around her table. Her homemade long johns were legendary, and her potato salad, rhubarb crisp, apple crisp, rice pudding, and Thanksgiving gravy were family favorites.

Although Blooming Prairie was always home, Fran enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. Her adventures took her throughout the United States and abroad, including memorable trips to Ireland, China, and Mexico.

She was active in bowling and golfing leagues, loved gathering with friends for coffee, and enjoyed staying connected with fellow nurses through a retired nurses group. A lifelong member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church, Fran was also a dedicated member of the Ladies Altar Society, the VFW Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a devoted fan of Gunsmoke, having watched every episode multiple times, and she rarely missed an evening with David Muir and ABC World News Tonight.

Above all, Fran was a woman of deep and unwavering faith. Her faith carried her through life’s greatest joys and deepest sorrows, including the heartbreaking loss of two daughters and her own health struggles. Through it all, she remained resilient, hopeful, and grateful. Her children and grandchildren often turned to her for advice, wisdom, and encouragement, and one of her most common responses was simply, “pray on it.”

Known affectionately as “Granny Groovy,” “Frantastic,” and “Franny,” Fran will be remembered for her quiet smile, generous heart, and positive outlook on life. She was incredibly proud of her children, grandchildren, and the lives they built, celebrating their accomplishments and standing beside them through life’s challenges. As a single mother, Fran returned to school in her 40s to earn her nursing degree, demonstrating the determination and perseverance that defined her life. By doing so, she showed her daughters and granddaughters that it is never too late to pursue a dream, and through her example taught them that with faith, hard work, and courage, anything is possible.

One of Fran’s greatest gifts was her ability to make everyone feel special. Each of us believed we were somehow her favorite, and that was because she loved each person so completely and so genuinely. She was never afraid to speak her mind, especially when it came to politics or speaking out against what she believed was unjust. Those who knew her admired her honesty,

conviction, and deep compassion for others. Her warmth and steadfast presence touched all who knew her.

Fran is survived by her husband, Dennis; children, Kelly (Pat) Njos of Blooming Prairie, Lori Erickson of Rochester, Cindy (Steve) Guttormson of Cross Lake, Minn., Carol (Rick) Reid of Staples, Minn., Gerald “Jerry” (Cindy) Njos of San Diego, and Amy (Gomer Bleeke) Johnson of Waconia; son-in-law, Eric Leraaen of St. Ansgar, Iowa; Dennis’ children, Glen (Amanda) Bramstedt of Staples, Marla Bramstedt of Jackson, Minn., and Rodney Bramstedt of Blooming Prairie; 21 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and many nieces, nephews, double cousin Shirley Splitzhauser, and friends, including her special friends Marlys Loew and Lois Friesner and her beloved “Kitty”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary; daughters, Connie in 1993 and Lynn in 2018; brother, Tom (Barbara) O’Connor; sisters, Patricia Kermes and Eileen Ptacek; son-in-law, Mark Johnson; grandson, Johnny Christensen; granddaughter-in-law, Angelica Goff; double cousin, Rosemary Johnson; and her special friend, Vernie Jensen.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Fran will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, with a rosary beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at St. Columbanus Catholic Cemetery in Blooming Prairie.

Fran personally selected her pallbearers, all of whom are her grandsons, honoring the special bond she shared with each of them. Pallbearers will be Brent Christensen, Dillan Erickson, Casey Goff, Pete Njos, Zack Njos, and Blake Njos. Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Bush, Ben Bush, Adam Kemmerick, and Owen Johnson.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Prairie Manor Care Center for their compassionate care and friendship over the past year, to the Blooming Prairie Ambulance Service for their kindness and caring hearts, and to Mayo Clinic Hospice for the dignity, integrity, compassion, and respect they showed Fran and her family during their final weeks together.

Memorials are preferred to St. Columbanus Catholic Church. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home of Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

Fran’s legacy of faith, family, kindness, strength, and unconditional love will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.