Surnames: Fristad, Thomle, Kristaianslund, Merwin, Griffith, Simons, Dittinger, Nygard, Kvern, Houge, Lund

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 01/30/1947

Fristad, Rena Betsy (21 Oct. 1865 - 24 Jan. 1947)

The dark curtain of death terminated the mortal life of Mrs. Rena Fristad, a long time resident of Humbird, on Friday, January 24, at the home of her son, Harry, in the town of Colby, Wisconsin. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Humbird Monday afternoon, Jan. 27th, Rev. George Griffith of Abbotsford officiating. Miss Joyce Merwin of Colby very nicely sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "Abide With Me." She was accompanied by Miss Edith Simons of Humbird.

Rena Betsy Fristad was born to Knute Peterson Thomle and Maria Kristaianslund of Noireland, Norway, on October 21, 1865. She came as a young woman to America in 1882 going to Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin, and obtained employment in that vicinity.

In 1887 she was joined in marriage to Nicholas Fristad and they lived in Whitehall until 1900 in which year they bought a farm near Humbird and engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Five children, Clarence, Harry, Nordahl, Ruth and Agnes, came to their family circle. Ruth and Agnes preceded their mother to the Great Beyond and Mr. Fristad passed away in 1920.

Mrs. Fristad is survived by her three sons, Clarence of Eau Claire, Harry of Colby, Nordahl of Humbird; four half sisters, Mrs. Clara Dittinger of Hixton, Mrs. Halvor Nygard and Mrs. Louise Kvern, both of Madison, Mrs. Sina Houge of Black River Falls; and three half brothers, Mahlon Lund of Humbird, Rudolph Lund of Black River Falls and Matt Lund of Spokane, Wash. There are nine grand children.

The life history of this good woman is to be found in the strenuous struggle of keeping the family craft afloat on the great sea of life through trying, difficult experiences. Her indomitable determination never wavered through the years. It can be well said of her that she made much of little. She has earned and merits the final judgement from her Divine Father: Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.