Freida Neupert
November 16, 1919 - March 14, 2020

Frieda Neupert passed peacefully at 100 years old on March 14, 2020, with her family and friends by her side.

Frieda was born on November 16, 1919, in Arnstorf Germany, one year after the Spanish flu pandemic began. She was born to Paulina and Ludwig Wenzell, and was one of 12 children. Frieda's parents were the product of an arranged marriage, Ludwig had 6 children prior to marrying Paulina and was 20 years her senior. Paulina and Ludwig owned a small family farm in what was Germany at that time. After World War I, they were forced out of their home under Stalin's Collectivization but remained together and survived being Interned in Siberia under Stalin's rule. After all of Europe was decimated by the war, Paulina and Ludwig would return to Germany to give birth to Frieda.

Just prior to the depression, the family immigrated to Canada sponsored by Frieda's brother Rudy. This is where Frieda learned her work ethic, caring for her cousins on the family farm. After the depression she went to work with her sister Martha for two different doctors in Winnipeg, 40 miles away from home. Frieda and Martha helped raise the children, cook, clean and care for the doctor's homes. They returned home to their family farm once a month to visit the family and spend time together. During these desperate times, Frieda learned the value of charity as her parents helped their community in any way they could, offering food from the farm to those in need.

Frieda had her first child, Linda, in 1940 while living in Canada and working at Vern's Egg Factory, just one year after Canada entered World War II. After the war, Frieda met an American at a dance. Edgar "Ono" Neupert, who would become her second and late husband. The two of them would leave Canada and move to Havre, Montana where they leased a Coffee Shop and experienced success. Frieda had a daughter, Rhoda, who was born in Malta, Montana and a son, Michael, the youngest, who was born in Havre, Montana. After losing the coffee shop, Frieda and the family re-located to Argyle, Minnesota, where "Ono" worked as a mechanic. Eventually, the family moved to Mounds View, MN, where they bought a home. Tragically, Ono died in his early 40's, leaving Frieda to care for three young children on her own. Frieda was a dedicated mother working at Red Owl for over 25 years as a cashier and manager to care for her family. Frieda lived in the family home well into her 90's before moving in with family and eventually, Ecumen Prairie Lodge, where she was very loved and made many wonderful friends.

In the time she was not working, Frieda loved to garden and care for the many birds that visited her yard. At one time she had 88 house plants, one of which was over 60 years old. She loved collecting Gnomes, making ceramics, bowling, and was a lifelong member of Mounds View Cross of Glory Lutheran Church where she was well known for her floral arrangements. Frieda was loved by many and taught her family the value of caring, strength, hard work, and perseverance. Frieda was loved by her children Linda, Rhoda, and Michael, as well as her 3 grand-children Valerie, Gina, and Dominic, and one great-grand child Melissa who all lovingly referred to her as "Nanny."

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