Surnames: Fristad, Griffiths, Merwin, Simons, Pederson, Thomle, Dittinger, Nygard, Kvern, Houge, Lund

----Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 30 Jan. 1947

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

The dark curtain of death terminated the mortal life of Mrs. Fristad, a long time resident of Humbird, on Friday, Jan. 24, at the home of her son, Harry, in the town of Colby, Wis.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Humbird, Monday afternoon, Jan. 27. The Rev. G. E. Griffiths, Edgar, officiated. Miss Joyce Merwin, Abbotsford, sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "Abide With Me," accompanied by Miss Edith Simons, Humbird. Internment was made in the nearby Mentor cemetery.

Rena Betsy Fristad was born to Knute Pederson and Marie Kristiana Lund Thomle, of Nodreland, Norway, on October 21, 1865. She came, as a young woman, to America in 1882, going to Pigeon Falls, where she 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, Eau Claire; Harry, Colby; Nordahl, Humbird; four half sisters, Mrs. Clara Dittinger, Hixton; Mrs. Halvor Nygard and Mrs. Louise Kvern, Madison; Mrs. Sina Houge, Black River Falls; and three half brothers, Mahlon Lund, Humbird; Rudolph Lund, Black River Falls; and Matt Lund, 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 and 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 judgment from her Divine Father: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."