Elaine E. Friedrichsen

Elaine E. Friedrichsen was born on December 9, 1929, the daughter of Carl and Frieda (Kuester) Jeschke, on the family farm between Ute and Ricketts. She was baptized on December 29, 1929 and later confirmed her faith on April 2, 1944. Elaine graduated from the Mapleton High School with the Class of 1948. After completing her education, she worked for a grocery store and also spent a few years as a hired hand before devoting herself fully to her role as a wife and mother.

On July 31, 1949, Elaine was married to the love of her life, Freddie Friedrichsen at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig where they remained longtime members. They made their home in Schleswig where they raised four children: David, Inez, Nancy and Andrew. Together, they built a strong foundation based on love, respect, and shared values. Soon after Freddie passed away, Elaine moved to Mapleton where she’s lived for the last 16 years.

Throughout her life, Elaine found great joy in pursuing various hobbies and interests. An avid reader of magazines, she also exhibited her literary skills by writing articles for farm publications. Additionally, Elaine enjoyed going dancing, sewing, gardening, and playing cards. She cherished the friendships she formed through pen pals and valued her time spent teaching Sunday School.

Elaine's devotion to her family knew no bounds. She embraced the roles of a loving farmwife and nurturing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother with unwavering dedication. Her unconditional love served as a source of strength for her family.

Elaine passed away peacefully at the age of 94 years and 25 days on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Frieda Jeschke; parents-in-law, Henry and Roma Friedrichsen; and her husband, Freddie Friedrichsen.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons: David Friedrichsen and his wife Jac of Schleswig, and Andrew Friedrichsen and his wife Sylvia of Mapleton; two daughters: Inez and her husband Craig Voss of Mapleton, and Nancy and her husband Steve Feauto of Oakland, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Betty Nielsen of Mapleton; sisters-in-law: Gaylene Steckelberg of Owatonna, Minnesota, and JoAnn and her husband Dennis Couch of Omaha, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Elaine’s visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Her funeral service is on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. also at the church with burial to follow in the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Elaine’s funeral will be livestreamed on https://youtube.com/live/tSWzAsHwrMY