Viola E. Freudenberg

Viola E. Freudenberg, age 94, of Alexandria, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, February 3, 2023, at her son’s home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Don Wilke officiating. Music is provided by organist, Lynette Finnern. Interment will take place at the St. James Lutheran Cemetery, South Effington.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m., Friday, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Viola Esther was born on February 4, 1928, to John and Amalia (Hartfiel) Gesell at home in Miltona Township, the eighth of ten children. She was baptized in 1928, and confirmed in 1941, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, West Miltona. Viola graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1946. Following her education, she worked at First National Bank in Parkers Prairie for several years. She met Howard J. Freudenberg at the roller-skating rink in Urbank when she was 19 years old and they were married 1 ½ years later on September 4, 1949, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, she farmed with Howard on the Freudenberg family farm in Effington Township. They were blessed with three children, William, Glen, and Ann. Howard died at the age of 53, in 1974. Viola remained on the family farm until moving to Alexandria in 1984. She worked at Anderson Florist for a short time and then at Knute Nelson as a nurse’s aide until she retired in 2000. When Viola was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was active in Ladies Aid. She became a member of Zion Lutheran Church when she moved to Alexandria. Viola had a strong faith and brought everything to God in prayer. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, puzzles, and watching Minnesota team sports; especially the Twins and the Vikings. Her favorite time was spent with family and friends. Viola was a hard worker, wonderful mother, humble and kind. She will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four sisters, Clara Venzke, Ella Betterman, Gertrude Grothmann, and Violet Backhaus; and four brothers, Clarence (age 2), Sylvester, Lawrence, and Marvin Gesell.

Viola is survived by her three children, William “Bill” (R’Lou) Freudenberg, Glen (Bonnie) Freudenberg both of Parkers Prairie, and Ann (Ken) Koep of Alexandria; sister, Vergene Henning of Alexandria; sister-in-law, Lucille Gesell of Norfolk, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Andrea Salgado of Phoenix, Arizona, Michael (Danielle) Freudenberg of Maricopa, Arizona, Karl Freudenberg of Chandler, Arizona, Jered (Brooke) Freudenberg of Alexandria, Jenna (Ted) Schlafke of Parkers Prairie, and Chris (Kendall) Koep of Alexandria; three step-grandchildren, Katie (Cody) Weidler of Zumbrota, Emily (Adam) Greve of Parkers Prairie, and Michael Henry of Rochester; nine great-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Jered Freudenberg, Chris Koep, Michael Henry, Adam Greve, Cody Weidler, and Ted Schlafke.  Honorary pallbearers are Andrea Salgado, Jenna Schlafke, Michael (Danielle) Freudenberg, Karl Freudenberg, Kendall Koep, Brooke Freudenberg, Katie Weidler, and Emily Greve.