Cleo E. Friesen: 1931-2021

Cleo Friesen

Cleo E. Friesen, age 90, of Mountain Lake, Minn., went to spend eternity with her Heavenly Father and Creator God on Nov. 11, 2021 at Champlin Shores Nursing Home in Champlin, Minn.

Cleo was born in Freeman, S.D. on Jan. 2, 1931 as the second of four children to Elias and Lillie Brockmueller. She grew up on the family farm and went to a country school for eight grades. Her family attended Salem Mennonite Church and she was baptized in 1944. She attended high school at Freeman Academy where she met her husband J. Herbert Friesen who was from Mountain Lake. Cleo and Herb were married on June 22, 1950 and settled on the family farm in Mountain Lake. They had four sons: Scott, Merle, J. Brent and Troy.

Church was very important, and they made Bethel Mennonite Church their home church. Cleo enjoyed life on the farm and was totally devoted to her family. When she wasn’t caring for, and trying to socialize her four sons, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, and traveling. Cleo loved to spend time with her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the farming off-season, Cleo and Herb spent time traveling. They ultimately ventured to five of the seven continents, visiting many countries along the way. Together they drove through much of the United States. Cleo invested in her community by volunteering at Care & Share, The Good Samaritan Nursing Home, the church library and Gideon’s International. She was involved in the County Extension Club and Worship and Sew at church.

Cleo was known for her selflessness, kindness, sweet disposition, genuine smile and hospitality. Cleo hosted many travelers and exchange students from all over the world in her home. Sundays would often involve having a group of people over for lunch. She would cook for everyone and not even set a place for herself to sit so she could just focus on serving everyone else. She loved to serve others, and Cleo was loved by everyone who knew her.

Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, J. Herbert Friesen, after 58 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Elias and Lillie (Waltner) Brockmueller; a sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Glen Gering; brother Gordon Brockmueller; brother-in-law James Wipf; and grandson Bryant Friesen. She is survived by her sister Joyce Wipf; sister-in-law Shirley Brockmueller; sons: Scott (Lori), Merle (Stephanie), J. Brent (Judy), Troy (Jennifer); 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.