Obit: Fristad, Rena Betsy #3 (1865 - 1947)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Fristad, Kristianslund, Pederson, Thomle, Nygard, Kvern, Hauge, Lund, Dettinger

----Source: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.) 02/01/1947

Fristad, Rena Betsy (21 OCT 1865 - 24 JAN 1947)

Death came to Mrs. Betsy Fristad, a longtime resident of Humbird (Clark Co., Wis.), on Friday, Jan. 24, 1947, at the home of her son Harry, near Colby.  For the past two winters she had gone to her son’s to spend a number of months.  The infirmities of age were the cause of death, which came to her at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 3 days.

Rena Betsy, the oldest child of Knute and Maria Kristianslund Pederson Thomle, of Nodreland, Norway, was born on Oct. 21, 1865.  She came as a young woman to America, and in 1882 went to Pigeon Falls, Wis., and obtained employment in that vicinity.

In the early fall of 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.  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 Dettinger of Hixton; Mrs. Halvor Nygard and Mrs. Louis Kvern, both of Madison; Mrs. Sina Hauge of Black River Falls; and three half-brother: Mahlon Lund of Humbird; Rudolph of Black River Falls; and Matt Lund of Spokane, Wash.  There are nine grandchildren.  And many friends and neighbors mourn her passing away.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in this village Monday afternoon, Jan. 27^th, and were attended by many friends.  The Rev. George E. Griffiths of Edgar, pastor of the Edgar and Abbotsford Presbyterian churches, officiated.  He used as a text for his sermon a portion of the 14^th verse of the 35^th Psalm, "I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother," in which he gave a tender tribute to the pioneer mothers.  Miss Joyce Merwin of Colby Sang "Abide with Me" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," with Miss Simons accompanist.  There were many beautiful floral tributes.  Mrs. Fristad was a War Mother, and pallbearers were members of the American Legion: A.E. Fradenburg, H.E. Laffe, E.W. Johnson, J.A. Johnson, A.L. Kirby, and R.J. Stuve.  Burial was in Mentor Cemetery.

Among friends and relatives coming from away to attend the services were Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Fristad, Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Fristad, Colby; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dettinger, Hixton; Rudolph Lund, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Aggen, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gearing, Mrs. Jennie Peasley, Black River Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Gearing, Alma Center; Mr. and Mrs. George Gjerseth, Merrillan.