Elmer Friesen

Elmer Friesen, 89, Mountain Lake, MN died Wednesday, July 6th 2011 at the Windom Area Hospital, Windom, MN. He had been in declining health and suffered from dementia for the past two years and had been a resident of Mt. Lake Good Samaritan Village since November of 2009. Elmer G. Friesen was born on July 19th, 1921 at his family home in Butterfield Township, MN to Jacob L. and Helena (Toews) Friesen. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, and on May 12th, 1940 he was baptized. After becoming a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, he taught Sunday School and was the superintendent for a number of years. He graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1940 and received further education at the Mt. Lake Bible School. On May 27th, 1943 he married Mathilda Dick at the First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake. They remained in the Mountain Lake area. Elmer was a grain and livestock farmer near Bingham Lake. In addition to farming he worked at Toro, and did some sales work. They sold the farm in 1970 and moved to Mt. Lake where he continued his sales jobs, worked for the Windom DAC, Western Community Action and was a nurse's aide at the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake. Elmer had a life long love of music and was heard humming and whistling wherever he went. He and Mathilda sang duets for many functions. Elmer also enjoyed singing in men's groups. His love of music was demonstrated throughout his life and music was found to be calming during his restless times in the nursing home. The men's prayer breakfast was rarely missed by him. He also looked forward to socializing over coffee whenever the opportunity was available. Elmer is survived by Mathilda, his wife of 68 years, six children Dennis (Ramona), Robert (Judy), Marge (Jim), Vern, Gary, Nancy (Ron), ten grandchildren Brad (Carrie), Krista (Jimmy), Marcus (Katie), Tammy (Jeff), Teri (Gunnar), Jennifer, Michelle, Sda, Beth (Dan), Tim, eight great-grandchildren and one brother Jake of Newton Kansas. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters and one brother. During the last weeks of Elmer's life it became more evident that he was struggling with pain and his health issues. As a family we sincerely appreciate and want to thank the Windom hospital staff, Dr. Ali, and Sanford Hospice for their great care and thoughtfulness. We also want to thank the staff at the Good Samaritan Village, Mt. Lake for their kind and thoughtful care of Elmer.