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The Fred and Anna Story!
... SJA Musicians/Friends

What a joy on a Sunday morning to arrive to church and find the likes of Anna and Fred Vagle musically accompanying the congregation with their SJA spirit! And they do it with a magnetism that begins to flow through all of us. What would St. Joan of Arc be without them! They are part of the musical team that inspires us all to join together and sing our hearts out. You have seen them year after year and perhaps not known the details that brought them here. So here’s the Anna and Fred story!

Anna and Fred are both from small Minnesota towns. Anna from the small central town of Brooten and Fred from a town called Lake Bronson in the Northwest tip of Minnesota. In their childhood’s, neither one had running water or electricity in their family homes. (Either Fred or his kids would be happy to elaborate on that if you are interested.) Their family ties were strong. Anna was one of ten and Fred one of four. Anna was brought up with a strong liturgy and music background. Her mother and grandmother both were church choir directors, so it's no surprise that she followed their lineage of musical talent. Anna combined her music with an educational degree from St. Ben's.

Fred's family line of musicians included his father, a banjo player in a band, and a sister who sings professionally in piano bars. During some tough times, Fred's family moved to Minneapolis and he attended old South High School. While there his Dad introduced him to his first guitar. Fred took to it immediately, unable to set it down. In high school, his counselor encouraged him to pursue a math field and not music. He did both after graduating from the U of M.

Anna and Fred met in college at a Young Life International camp, which they continue to be involved with. Fred was cooking and Anna singing. They married right out of college and found themselves living in Minneapolis with his mother while looking for work and a home. Their early years together were filled with booking every possible music gig anywhere across the states. As children entered their lives, they would go on the road for five or so weeks at a time with their families helping take care of the kids. For years this was rewarding in significant ways, honing their creative juices and making contacts with quite a range of musical talents. At one point they were cutting songs for a recording company and coming this close (Fred showing with his fingers) to making it big! A long-term fund raising contract with Young America brought them all across the country giving them experience and exposure. Eventually, the road grew old and the house filled with 5 children. They turned to a more settled life here working in business and St. Joan's. And aren't we happy they did!

I remember the days, 20 some years ago, I looked forward to the one Sunday a month that Anna and Fred were scheduled to sing. In those days, they gradually worked their way into the network of the parish. Fr. Egan would nudge them after mass telling them "to keep coming back"! Eventually Fred and Anna began filling in during Christmas and Easter, becoming regulars in time. Now as the Music Director, Anna uses her expertise to find compelling musicians to join us on Sundays. Fred's continual "fine tuning" of audio is exceptional. Put them all together and we have an ace team of musicians that exceed standard church expectations.

Sitting on their front porch.... a freshness is felt, along with a wholesome warm atmosphere, in many ways reflecting who they are as people. One can sense their perfectly contented lives. They are blessed with a gorgeous family with grandchildren included. Their grandparents lived with them while raising their babies, something many of us can admire these days. They shared their desire to dedicate their lives to supporting not only their own, but all children and helping them build successful happy lives. Through their years they have been sensitive to what that takes along with the trust and encouragement that it requires. Their commitment and enthusiasm is infectious. It's quite evident they are totally devoted to St. Joan of Arc and it's family of parishioners...always hoping and believing in the best for friends and newcomers. If there was one word that could describe this loving couple best it might be… Devoted.

Peg LaSota is interested in the biographies of parishioners... any suggestions?? She also loves studying piano, recorder, Spanish, and of course...singing in the choir!