Joseph Fridgen

Funeral Mass for Joseph Fridgen, age 90, of Wheaton, Minnesota, formerly of Dumont, Minnesota will be held Friday, July 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Joe Vandeberg Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack. Pallbearers will be Joe's grandsons: Mike Pierson, Travis Fridgen, Chad Krumwiede, Riley Fridgen, Cory Fridgen, Joe Fridgen, Jack Fridgen, Ryan Marts, Jason Kuss and Joe Gall. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, July 24th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at Ave Maria Catholic Church. Visitation will continue Friday morning one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Joseph A. Fridgen was born on December 20, 1923 in Wheaton, MN. to Orlie and Joseph J. Fridgen. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Dumont, MN. He attended grades 1-8 at St. Peter's Catholic School. He grew up on the family farm near Dumont, with his parents, brother and three sisters. He was united in marriage to Helen Ann Mundy on September 25, 1948 in Dumont, MN. With this union were 5 children: Joe, Rene', Mark, Blair and Steve. His love of farming started at an early age. With his Dad's illness, Joe and his brother Gene started farming as teenagers. Joe farmed with his father, Joseph Sr. and his brother Gene. He raised his family on the Fridgen century farm. He farmed with his son Mark until 2012. He raised crops and livestock. Joe was an active and involved member in his church and community. He participated in St. Peter's church council and church choir. Joe was also a Croke Township Supervisor. Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in November, 1944. Joe's military tour included the Asiatic and Pacific Area (Guam). Joe participated in the occupation of China, December 19, 1945-July 25, 1946. He received the rank of Sergeant as a rifle marksman with a specialty qualification as a Cannoneer. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for his military service. After returning from military service, Joe helped organize Ralph-Leslie American Legion Post in Dumont. This post helped support Junior Legion Baseball and Dumont town baseball for many years. Along with other community members, Joe helped in organizing Dumont town baseball in 1946. He enjoyed playing baseball for many years and being a part of community support of local baseball. Following the closing of the Dumont Legion Post, Joe became a member of the Merton-Dale American Legion Post in Wheaton. Having young children and grandchildren around him was a highlight of his life. He enjoyed his love of life, play and conversation with family and friends. The love of his land was evident in his passion of farming and gardening at the farm and his Wheaton home. He also enjoyed his passion of hunting with family and friends since an early age. It was a special time to gather for hunting, socializing and sharing stories. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren at their homes and the lake. Joe retired from farming in 2013. Joe and Helen Ann moved to Wheaton in 1994. They recently moved to their new home in 2012 which they have enjoyed very much. Joe passed away on July 21, 2014 at his home in Wheaton at the age of 90. Joseph is survived by his wife Helen Ann Fridgen of Wheaton; five children: son Joseph D. "Joe" (Cynthia) Fridgen of Williamsburg, Virginia and their children Joseph D. (Linh) Fridgen, Craig (Mary) Joseph and Paige (Norman) Jacobs; daughter Rene' (Don) Krumwiede of Maple Grove, Minnesota and their children Chad (Nicki) Krumwiede and Andrea (Mike) Pierson; son Mark Fridgen of Dumont, Minnesota and his children Stacy (Ryan) Marts, Travis Fridgen, Cory (Bonnie) Fridgen, Leah (Jason) Fridgen-Kuss and Katie (Joe) Gall; son Blair Fridgen of Scarborough, Maine and his children Riley Fridgen and Jack Fridgen; and son Steve Fridgen of Lakeville, Minnesota; one sister Genevieve Hennen of Wheaton; nineteen grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Joseph J. and Orlie (Roth) Fridgen, sisters: Evelyn Fridgen-Lewis and Idelle Fridgen, brother Gene Fridgen, and a daughter-in-law Pam Hudson-Fridgen.

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Visitation

Ave Maria Catholic Church

• Thursday, July 24, 2014
• 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• Email Details
• 201 9th Street South
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions

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Funeral Service

Ave Maria Catholic Church

• Friday, July 25, 2014
• 11:00 AM
• Email Details
• 201 9th Street South
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions