Fern Friedrichs

Fern Friedrichs, age 85 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully Wednesday, April 4, 2018 surrounded by her family at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 10th at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. Greg Paffel will officiate with interment following in the St. Paul's Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Fern Friedrichs was born May 20, 1932 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, the daughter of Grace (Kircher) and James Pettit. Fern grew up in Sauk Centre and graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1950. On September 28, 1950 she married Cyril J. "Peanuts" Friedrichs at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple farmed from 1950 to 1969 and owned and operated the Pettit Children's Home from 1968 to 1982. While Peanuts was a partner of Friedrichs Tire and Oil, Fern was the bookkeeper for the service station. Likewise, Fern kept books for Pettit Children's Home until her retirement in 1987.
Spending time with her family always made Fern the happiest! As she welcomed her grandchildren into the Friedrichs family, she would often comment that she had "The Best" grandchildren! Fern was always excited for Christmas, just couldn't wait to watch her grandchildren unwrap their gifts. While her children had young families, Fern prepared weekly Sunday evening dinner for everyone in her family. Later, she established "Friday Afternoon Happy Hour" at her home and this tradition continued till her death. She enjoyed watching the grandchildren's activities, winter trips to Laughlin, Nevada, playing Carbles and other games. She had the best and the "smartest" companion, her dog, Homer who brought her so much joy, especially after Peanut's death. Being on Facebook, connecting with family and friends -- even some of the clients that she had cared for at Pettit Children's Home, occupied much of her time these past eight years.

Fern was a member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Fern will be deeply missed by her six children, Jim (Sandi) Friedrichs and Ken (Therese) Friedrichs both of Osakis, Cathy (Dave) Von Wahlde, Nancy (Lonney) Olson, Linda (Jim) Beste, and Pam (Bill) Zehrer, all of Sauk Centre; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and her brother, Harvey "Tuffy" Pettit of Sauk Centre.

She was preceded in death by her husband Cyril J. Friedrichs on October 12, 2009; parents; and brothers, Floyd Pettit, and Carroll "Kelly" Pettit.