Leah Friebohle

Leah Martina Friebohle, 95, of Crookston, MN, died Monday morning, September 15, 2014, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston with her loving family at her side. Leah was born on August 12, 1919, on her parents' farm in Woodside Township, near Fertile, MN, the daughter of Iver and Betsy (Nesheim) Bergum. She was baptized and confirmed at the Maple Lake Lutheran Church and attended the nearby Woodside Country School. During the latter part of the 1930's she worked as a housekeeper and nanny for families in Fertile and Duluth, MN. Leah moved to Detroit, MI during the wartime years and was employed at General Motors. She was united in marriage to Francis Noud in 1943, and the couple made their home in Detroit where their sons, James and Michael were born. Next was a move across country to San Francisco where daughters, Anita and Linda were born. Leah and her growing family came back to Minnesota and settled at Maple Bay where Marcia was born. In 1959 Crookston became home to Leah and the kids, and a year later, on June 3, 1960, she was united in marriage to Eugene E. "Gene" Friebohle. Son, Danny, was born a year later. Gene was employed by Saul Motors, later known as Salem Motors, and for several years Leah devoted herself to being wife, mom, and homemaker. She began employment as a CNA for Polk County Nursing Service in 1973, and two years later accepted a similar position with the Riverview Nursing Home. She loved her job and the residents of the nursing home absolutely loved Leah. She retired in 1994 at the age of 75. Sadly, Gene passed away on March 27, 2011. While her kids were growing up and coming of age, the Friebohle home was always the gathering place and "center of action" for all the neighborhood kids. Leah loved the commotion and excitement of having young people around. She enjoyed looking after her family, and extended that to embrace their friends as well. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed gardening, and looked forward to every minute spent with her kids, grandkids, and friends. She was also a longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and WELCA. As a resident of Villa St. Vincent Leah became such a friend to her caregivers that even after they no longer worked there they still came back to visit her. Leah's 95 years were dedicated to a life of faith, strength, wisdom, and tenderness; all lessons she passed on to her children. She will be very lovingly remembered by everyone who was fortunate enough to be a part of her life. Leah is survived by 5 children: James (Micki) Noud of Burbank, CA, Anita (Lauren) Walter and Linda Hagen (Don) Shirbish of Crookston, Marcia (Garland) Purdy of Maple Bay, MN, and Danny Friebohle of Crookston; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and granddog, Harvey. She also leaves 2 brothers-in-law, Donald Friebohle of Albany, GA and Glendon Friebohle of San Diego, CA; a sister-in-law, Doris (Dean) Baumann of Des Moines, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to Gene, her beloved husband of 50 years, Leah was preceded in death by her son, Michael Joseph Noud; her parents, Iver and Betsy Bergum, and 16 brothers and sisters. May God richly bless the memory of Leah Martina Friebohle.



A funeral service celebrating the life of Leah Friebohle will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral. Inurnment will take place in the Maple Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Mentor, MN at a later date. Online registry:



www.stenshoelhouske.com

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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