Date of Birth:
Thursday, December 4, 1924
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Age:
91 years old

Marion M. Friedrich

Marion Margaret Friedrich, of rural Chatfield, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, one day before her 92nd birthday, at Maple Manor in Rochester, where she had resided for the last 2 ½ years.

Marion was born Dec. 4, 1926, in Fall Creek, Wis., to George and Lula Pagel. The family farmed in Fall Creek and later lived in Peterson and Zumbrota, Minn., before settling on a farm in Marion, Minn. Marion’s early years were spent helping on the family dairy and hog farm. She was active in 4-H livestock showing and won at least five trips to the Minnesota State Fair. She was named the 1943 State 4-H Champion Calf Club Girl.

Marion attended school in Marion and graduated from Rochester High School in 1941. After high school, she gave up dreams of college and a business career to work on the family farm when her father had health issues and couldn’t find experienced help to manage the farms 40 registered Holsteins. She never strayed from farming for the rest of her life.

On May 22, 1948, Marion married William Herbert Friedrich of rural Rochester at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. They were happily married for 67 years. Bill died on Feb. 26, 2016.

Marion and Bill farmed with Bill’s parents until moving in 1950 to a farm near Chatfield, where they farmed together until retiring. Bill and Marion were true partners on the farm, and together they won multiple soil conservation awards. Marion’s greatest joys were caring for Bill, joining him in his hobby of flying their light airplane off a landing strip on their farm (on their first date, Bill took Marion on an airplane ride), spending time with her family, and helping on the farm. She was also an avid gardener.

Marion was known for her ability to, after working a full morning on the farm, “throw together” a hearty noon meal for a hungry farm crew. She was also known for her frugality, and often said, “Fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Survivors include three children; Arthur (Faye) of Marion, Karen (Chris) and Allen (Tammy), both of rural Chatfield, five grandchildren; Amy (Jacob Slosberg) Frye of Mount Vernon, Wash., Adam (Ladia Albertson-Junkans) Frye of Seattle, Wash., Justin, Hannah, and Noah Friedrich, all of rural Chatfield, and one brother, Clifton (Lea) Pagel of Rochester. She was preceded in death by three sisters; Luella Lorch, Viola Noerenberg, and Jane Mercer, and one brother, Alton (“Tony”) Pagel.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, with Pastor Norman Wahl officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, and at the church for one hour before the service.