Frieda Schaefer

Frieda Marie Schaefer was born October 28, 1911 in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Frederick and Louise (Horstmann) Humburg. German was spoken at home, so Frieda couldn''t speak English when she started school. She graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1930. There were 13 children in her family and their farm home hospitality was enjoyed by many people including the Walther League of St. Paul''s Lutheran Church. Frieda worked for families in the Blue Earth area until 1938 when Elmer Schaefer needed someone to care for his family. When his wife died, Frieda agreed to stay on if Grandma Halverson, Elmers, mother-in-law stayed too. Then on August 13, 1939 they were married at St. Paul''s Lutheran Church and she immediately became mother to Barbara and Vivian. For some years they farmed the "Ziegler Place" south of Blue Earth. Roger and Kathleen were born during those years. A farm was purchased near Rake, Iowa in 1945, and Warren was born when they lived there. In 1967 they built a new home across from the airport at Blue Earth when Roger & Fran moved on the home place. Elmer died November 27, 1983 and Frieda continued to live on the farm until June 2001 when she entered St. Lukes''s Lutheran Care Center. Frieda was active in her church, including Zion Lutheran at Rake, and Trinity Lutheran at Blue Earth. She taught release time classes, was a 60 plus year member of the women''s organinzation, and circle Bible study leader for years. She quilted with the Trinity ladies for many years. She also pieced quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed neighborhood clubs and Elmer & Frieda were active members of Farm Bureau and politics. Frieda enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states. Othe hobbies were gardening, baking, canning, crafts, and holiday preparations and all of her families'' activities. Frieda was the last surviving member of her siblings. Family left to celebrate her life area: Barbara (& husband Grant) Ostrander of Buffalo Center, Iowa, Vivian Johnson of Baxter, MN, Roger (& wife Fran) Schaefer of Buffalo Center, Iowa, Kathleen (& husband Dennis) Matthies of St. Cloud, Warren (& wife Sandy) Schaefer of La Crescent; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband, Elmer; son-in-law, Marvin Johnson; great grandson, Bradley Ostermann, parents, brothers, sisters, many nieces & nephews and friends.