Martha Fredin
Martha Pauline Schmid Suess Fredin, age 86, of Comfrey, MN died on July 28, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield, MN.
Visitation was on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Paul's Catholic Church in Comfrey. A Rosary was at 7:00 at the church. Visitation continued on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at the St. Paul's Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Interment was at the St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Comfrey, MN.
Arrangements were with the Sturm Funeral Home in Comfrey, MN. Online condolences and memories of Martha may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Martha was born to Gilbert and Helen (Stover) Schmid of Comfrey, on March 31, 1936, at Springfield, MN. She grew up on a farm four miles NW of Comfrey. Martha graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School in 1950 and Comfrey Public High School in 1954.
Martha married Norbert Suess on August 31, 1954, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Comfrey. They made their home in Comfrey and were blessed with six children. Norbert passed away from kidney disease on February 14, 1967. Martha entered the job market and was employed by World Book Encyclopedia, advancing from salesperson to Area and then District Manager. In 1969, Martha was employed part time by the Postal Service. She worked mostly at the Comfrey office as well as helping at other area offices as needed. In October of 1987, Martha became Postmaster of the Sanborn, MN office. In June of 1989, Martha was promoted to the Comfrey Post Office as Postmaster where she worked until her retirement in January of 1998.
Martha married Wendell Fredin on March 17, 1970. They were blessed with three children and raised their children on the Fredin family farm near Comfrey. In 2014, they moved to their retirement home in Comfrey.
Besides being busy raising her family and job, Martha assisted her husband on the farm, along with their civic commitments. She was very active in St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the CCW, St. Ann's Circle, religion teacher, Church Historian for 21 years, and lifetime choir member. She was also very supportive of Comfrey Public School. Martha was a member of the Floratennial Garden Club, District IV MSHS president and historian, Lion's Club, Friends of the Library, Comfrey Area Pride, and St. John’s Lutheran Home board and volunteered where needed. She served as the NUDCCW Historian for 4 years. Martha received the Bishop’s Medal of Service Award in 1999, for her service in serving meals after the 1998 tornado.
Martha enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing Bridge, scrapbooking, reading, and especially time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Time spent on Long Lake near New London with family was extra special.
Martha lost her four-month battle with Glioblastoma Brain Cancer on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 86.
Martha is survived by her husband, Wendell; 9 children, Deb (Bill) Buffington of New London, Tom (Kris) Suess of St. James, Peggy (Larry) Hoffman of Northfield, Bill (Rhonda) Suess of Comfrey, Connie (Chuck) Lingbeek of Hutchinson, Kathy (Charles) Thaemert of Mayer, Rick Fredin (special friend, Heather Schroeder) of New London, Kristy (Derk) Gratton of New London, and Andy (Amy) Fredin of Delano; 20 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 10 step great grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy (Tom) Maloney and Marianne (Stanley) Schotzko; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Norbert Suess and her parents, Gilbert and Helen Schmid.
In Martha's final days she said, "With all the tragedies I've experienced in life, many blessing have also come."