Dear Marie, Cyndie, Steve, Barry, Ben and family.
So sorry to be so late in my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband Fred and Dad, and grandfather.. (I have been in the process of moving from Santa Fe/Minneapolis to ABQ and was not on FB for awhile- and then when I talked to Shirley on Monday- she asked me if I knew of his passing)? I had not- but know he is at peace.
I am sure your hearts are still broken and aching.from missing him, but know that the light, laughter and the legacy live on in all of you. Great memories of Wildwood and our families sharing time together! Thanks for sharing- Sending you love and care. Kari Graven
Suzanne Laukka Burnett
Dear Friswold family,
We are so sorry for your loss of an amazing man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. We send our deepest sympathy. Fred touched so many lives with his contagious laugh and smile that lit up the room! He exuded a zest for life, thoughtfulness, generosity and is a great source of inspiration for us all. We are blessed to have known him and the special relationship the Laukka/Friswold family shared. We are also grateful for the strong legacy he leaves in all of you. Praying you find healing and comfort as you tell your stories and relive years of wonderful memories. Love and blessings, Suzanne and Mike Burnett
James Ehrmann
Fred was one of the first people to reach out shortly after I began my role as Program Director in the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life. He treated me to lunch, listened to my ideas, and provided historical context and perspective that were invaluable to my work; his vision for fraternity and sorority life continues to be the foundation of the work our office does. His contributions to our fraternity and sorority community are immense and just one of the many ways in which he impacted people and organizations around him – reading these notes is clear evidence of that.
He will be missed but never forgotten and the work we do drives us closer to his vision.
Maggie Towle, Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs, U of MN
I was honored to get to know Fred through his legacy work at the University of Minnesota. He was so passionate about everything at the U, especially regarding our students. I always welcomed his wisdom and advice and had the utmost respect for him. He was truly a great, compassionate man.
David Keiski
So much love and generosity has come from Fred, Marie and their family. I’m so thankful and feel blessed to have the Friswold’s in my life, and great memories of decades. Fred always happy, always fun, steady as a rock and so supportive of his kids and grandkids. It was such honor to perform music at a Wildwood party and watch Fred and Marie, up late as the night went on, dancing with the rest of the entire Wildwood crew. We’ll never forget Fred, his calm, his joy, his laughter, his wisdom.
Paul Keiski
We are so saddened by the loss of Fred this past week. As friends of Cyndie, Steve, Barry, and Ben, we have had a long history of wonderful experiences and interactions with Mr. Friswold. He was always kind, caring and generous throughout the years. His boisterous laughter will ring in our memories forever. Whether playing cards, or golf, sharing a meal or sitting around the fire—Fred was a treasure to be with and experience.
Our children will always remember him as Santa Claus at Steve’s Christmas parties and we will always be grateful for his and Marie’s hospitality on our many visits to Wildwood.
I know for a fact he was more than proud of his children and his grandchildren. They are all quality people and are a testament to him and a legacy of his lasting excellence.
We will miss having Fred in our lives, but we are richer for having known him. Our condolences to the family and friends who miss him so.
Tom Dale
So sorry for your loss. So many good memories of our families together at Wildwood & also of visiting our dads downtown. They were a pair & would team up to mock me and my “nickel cigars” that I bought in the Skyway. Those were the days!
Gary Marquardt
Fred was one of those people who exuded calm, thoughtful and forward-looking perspective on everything. His soft voice, pleasant personality and easy way of conversing disarmed people and got you to really listen to his thoughts and especially his challenging introspective questions. Never sad, never dower, never allowing negativity to invade his space made him one of the most fun people to sit with at Rotary. He lived a “good life” and was a very “good man”. We will all miss him. RIP my friend.
Sharon Bloodworth
Fred was an amazing friend and mentor with the most wonderful laugh. He will be deeply missed by all in Rotary Club 9. Deepest condolences to his family, who meant so much to him.
ELIZABETH@ELIZABETHLAUKKA.COM
Dear Friswold family, I know your dad was a very special person. He made everyone feel welcome when he saw them — and was a true leader and mentor to many. He and Marie raised a wonderful family, while also doing so much for the community. He and Larry Laukka were one in a million. My prayers and thoughts go to all of you. God bless your family, Elizabeth Laukka (Mike’s wife)
Tamera Laine
Fred was always so sweet and sincere to both myself and my children (Annika & Jesse Brolin). I always felt welcome in his home and treated like part of the family. I loved sharing Norwegian ancestry tales with him.
11 COMMENTS
Dear Marie, Cyndie, Steve, Barry, Ben and family.
So sorry to be so late in my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband Fred and Dad, and grandfather.. (I have been in the process of moving from Santa Fe/Minneapolis to ABQ and was not on FB for awhile- and then when I talked to Shirley on Monday- she asked me if I knew of his passing)? I had not- but know he is at peace.
I am sure your hearts are still broken and aching.from missing him, but know that the light, laughter and the legacy live on in all of you. Great memories of Wildwood and our families sharing time together! Thanks for sharing- Sending you love and care. Kari Graven
Dear Friswold family,
We are so sorry for your loss of an amazing man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. We send our deepest sympathy. Fred touched so many lives with his contagious laugh and smile that lit up the room! He exuded a zest for life, thoughtfulness, generosity and is a great source of inspiration for us all. We are blessed to have known him and the special relationship the Laukka/Friswold family shared. We are also grateful for the strong legacy he leaves in all of you. Praying you find healing and comfort as you tell your stories and relive years of wonderful memories. Love and blessings, Suzanne and Mike Burnett
Fred was one of the first people to reach out shortly after I began my role as Program Director in the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life. He treated me to lunch, listened to my ideas, and provided historical context and perspective that were invaluable to my work; his vision for fraternity and sorority life continues to be the foundation of the work our office does. His contributions to our fraternity and sorority community are immense and just one of the many ways in which he impacted people and organizations around him – reading these notes is clear evidence of that.
He will be missed but never forgotten and the work we do drives us closer to his vision.
I was honored to get to know Fred through his legacy work at the University of Minnesota. He was so passionate about everything at the U, especially regarding our students. I always welcomed his wisdom and advice and had the utmost respect for him. He was truly a great, compassionate man.
So much love and generosity has come from Fred, Marie and their family. I’m so thankful and feel blessed to have the Friswold’s in my life, and great memories of decades. Fred always happy, always fun, steady as a rock and so supportive of his kids and grandkids. It was such honor to perform music at a Wildwood party and watch Fred and Marie, up late as the night went on, dancing with the rest of the entire Wildwood crew. We’ll never forget Fred, his calm, his joy, his laughter, his wisdom.
We are so saddened by the loss of Fred this past week. As friends of Cyndie, Steve, Barry, and Ben, we have had a long history of wonderful experiences and interactions with Mr. Friswold. He was always kind, caring and generous throughout the years. His boisterous laughter will ring in our memories forever. Whether playing cards, or golf, sharing a meal or sitting around the fire—Fred was a treasure to be with and experience.
Our children will always remember him as Santa Claus at Steve’s Christmas parties and we will always be grateful for his and Marie’s hospitality on our many visits to Wildwood.
I know for a fact he was more than proud of his children and his grandchildren. They are all quality people and are a testament to him and a legacy of his lasting excellence.
We will miss having Fred in our lives, but we are richer for having known him. Our condolences to the family and friends who miss him so.
So sorry for your loss. So many good memories of our families together at Wildwood & also of visiting our dads downtown. They were a pair & would team up to mock me and my “nickel cigars” that I bought in the Skyway. Those were the days!
Fred was one of those people who exuded calm, thoughtful and forward-looking perspective on everything. His soft voice, pleasant personality and easy way of conversing disarmed people and got you to really listen to his thoughts and especially his challenging introspective questions. Never sad, never dower, never allowing negativity to invade his space made him one of the most fun people to sit with at Rotary. He lived a “good life” and was a very “good man”. We will all miss him. RIP my friend.
Fred was an amazing friend and mentor with the most wonderful laugh. He will be deeply missed by all in Rotary Club 9. Deepest condolences to his family, who meant so much to him.
Dear Friswold family, I know your dad was a very special person. He made everyone feel welcome when he saw them — and was a true leader and mentor to many. He and Marie raised a wonderful family, while also doing so much for the community. He and Larry Laukka were one in a million. My prayers and thoughts go to all of you. God bless your family, Elizabeth Laukka (Mike’s wife)
Fred was always so sweet and sincere to both myself and my children (Annika & Jesse Brolin). I always felt welcome in his home and treated like part of the family. I loved sharing Norwegian ancestry tales with him.
He will be missed
Love Tammy/Annika/Jesse