Martin Frieler

Martin N. Frieler, age 89, of New Munich, died Saturday, July 14, 2007 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 17 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. and St. Joseph's Men's Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, and Melrose Knights of Columbus at 8 p.m.

Martin Frieler was born March 10, 1918 in Grove Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Rose (Nathe) Frieler. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII while stationed in Okinawa in the Pacific Theater. On June 8, 1948 he married Delores Althaus at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple farmed near New Munich until 1981. After retirement, Martin worked as a custodian at the Melrose High School. He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and fishing. He was a member of the St. Joseph's Men's Society, St. Leo's Court Catholic Order of Foresters, Melrose Knights of Columbus, Council 1633, and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050.

Survivors include his wife, Delores Frieler of Freeport; son, Dan Frieler and his wife, Bette of New Munich; two granddaughters, Joelle Frieler of New Munich and Julie Deters and her husband, Robbie of St. Joseph; and sister, Genrose Utsch and her husband, Elmer of Albany.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents; infant sons, Charles and Mark Frieler; brothers, Edwin, John, Paul, Clarence, and Bernard Frieler; sisters, Marie Neff and Luella Richter.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ron Utsch, Roger Frieler, Jim Frieler, Bill Frieler, Fred Frieler, Roger Richter, Dick Frieler, and Neil Frieler. Serving as cross bearer will be Bruce Hinnenkamp and scripture bearer will be Denise Plumski. Gift bearers will be Lois Schaefer and Trudy Westrich. Mass servers will be Andrew Plumski and Damon Westrich. Lectors will be Denise Plumski and Ginny Nathe. Eucharistic ministers will be John Nathe, Steve Frieler, Rodney Frieler, and Maureen Schaefer. Honorary bearers will be Melvin Poepping, Norb Funk, Al Schaefer, Erv Thielen, Ray Mayers, Norb Schaefer, Tom Ecker, Dave Kluempke, Alcuin Sand, Norb Humbert, Rich Rademacher, Odillo Hoppe, Pat Nathe, and the St. Joseph's Men's Society.