Elizabeth "Betty" Freij

Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Freij, 84, of Red Wing, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. She was born July 3, 1927 in Pierce County, Wisconsin to Mark and Madge (Ryan) Harris. She attended elementary school in Ellsworth and in 1936 she and her family moved to Red Wing where she attended St. Joseph's School and graduated in 1945 from Red Wing Central High School. She married Lloyd Freij on August 20, 1949. Betty worked various places including Red Wing Motor Company, St. Joseph's School as a cook and manager of the school lunch program, Red Wing Housing Authority as a tenant coordinator and at Macushla's Irish Shop. She was a member of Church of St. Joseph, a lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary, serving as past 1st district president; was a founding member of Goodhue County United Veterans as well as the Red Wing Irish. She also volunteered for numerous organizations in the Red Wing Community. First and foremost, she enjoyed being with her family, as well as reading, dancing and traveling.

She is survived by her special friend, Bob Erredge of Zumbrota; eight children, Janine and Mark Freij both of Minneapolis, Kevin and Steven Freij both of Red Wing, Jody (Mike Tonder) Freij-Tonder of Two Harbors, Jayne (Rob Reid) Freij of Eau Claire, Jennifer (Jim Christiansen) Freij of Chanhassen and Julianne (Dave Nordstrom) Freij of Red Wing; AFS son, David Mutebi of Uganda; seven grandchildren, Laura (Steven) Gingras, Julia (Kirk Jansen) Reid, Alice and Sam Reid and Andy, Michael and Hannah Christiansen; one great-grandson, Parker Aaron Gingras; one brother Tom (Rosie) Harris of Ava, Missouri and a sister, Joanne (Tom) Keute of Lake City.
She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Aaron Freij Tonder; sister, Alleyne Carlson and two brothers, J.V. and John Harris.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 at Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday with a 7 p.m. VFW Auxiliary prayer service at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to donor's choice.