Otto E. Friese

Otto Emil Friese was born June 20th, 1928. He grew up in the rural Long Prairie area. He met his wife at the ballroom on Pillsbury (Little Swan) lake. They were married September 2nd, 1950. Otto and Bernice raised three children, while farming in Burtrum. Unfortunately, Otto was widowed on October 31st, 1983. Otto was a devoted family man. Through the years, he kept close ties with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and sisters. He enjoyed family gatherings and participated in an annual family reunion with his sisters and their families. Otto loved farming. He started with horses to do field work. He sure liked it when he got tractors. After he retired from dairy farming, he grew crops to sell and helped his son, Randy, with field work. No one could run the chopper as good as Otto---and he’d let you know it! Otto enjoyed going to auction sales. He did not often purchase an item, but he liked the social gathering and seeing what items would sell for. Otto loved to go fishing and spear fishing. His sons have many fond memories of “fishing with dad”. Otto is survived by: his children Douglas (Mary) Friese of Little Falls and Randy (Rhonda) Friese of Burtrum; his eight grandchildren David Theisen (friend Ginene) of Alexandria, Christine (Bruce Sales) of Burtrum, Michael (Aleisha) Theisen of Sauk Rapids, Jeremy Theisen of Burtrum, Matthew (Janelle) Theisen of Mahtomedi, Bethanie Friese (significant other Darrell Baum) of Clarissa, Heidi Friese (fiance’ Beau Krueger) of Burtrum, and Spencer Friese of Little Falls; his seven great grandchildren Jordan and Haileigh Sales of Burtrum, Alexis Blenker of Clarissa, MacKenzie Baum of Clarissa, Nyah Walker of Burtrum, Meelie Krueger of Burtrum, and Ryan Theisen of Mahtomedi; his three sisters Alvina Hasser of Bemidji, Laverne Muehlen of Babbitt, and Luella (Erv Abel) of Arizona. Otto was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Bernice; devoted daughter, Marilyn (Theisen); dear friend and brother-in-law, John Muehlen; and two brothers, Reuben and Robert Friese. Otto was a God fearing man. Devoted to his faith, he worshipped at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Swanville. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren. Arrangements were made with Shelley Funeral Chapel of Swanville.

Tributes

Otto E. Friese

June 20, 1928 - April 24, 2011