Frieda Gutknecht

After a short illness, Frieda Gutknecht, 94, died at Bethany Homes of Fargo on February 25, 2006. Frieda was born to Gottfried and Rosina (Richter) Goetz on their farmstead north of Hazen, ND, on June 19, 1911. She was one of thirteen children of her German Russian immigrant parents. As a youth she participated in all aspects of farm work, rural school and recreation, and especially enjoyed horseback riding. On January 21, 1930 she married William J. Gutknecht, a barber and musician. In the early years of her married life she became a part of Bill Gutknecht?s Royal Foot Warmers, a local and popular dance band until the beginning of WWII. Her interests and service were centered around family and church. She was a superb housekeeper, cook, and baker, acclaimed for her spectacular angel food cakes. She held a passion for gardening. Her love for flowers was manifested in prized blooms of gladiolas, peonies and begonias. Her entries of grand tomatoes and vegetables in the annual Harvest Festival, brought her renown. She was a diligent servant of her church, regularly involved in teaching Sunday school, women?s activities, choir and working with the altar committee. Frieda served as Deputy City Auditor of Hazen in the ?60s and early ?70s. She loved to travel and was privileged to make numerous trips throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Holy Land. She lived in her home in Hazen for 71 years through 2001 when she moved into Bethany Homes assisted living where she was active and happy until her recent illness. She was preceded in death by her husband William, infant daughter, Lillian, and all her siblings except a brother, Leo (Darlene), of Yuma, AZ. Also surviving are her three children and their spouses: Marion Hartmann (Rev. Marvin), Fargo; Rev. William Gutknecht (Shirley nee Sailer), Port Hueneme, CA; Rosalie Jones (Dr. Howard) of Dundas, Ontario, Canada. There are eight grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at Bethany Homes, Fargo on Wednesday at 1:30, and at Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen, ND on Thursday at 2:00 MST. Visitation will be held one hour prior to each service. Interment will be at Peace Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Frieda?s name to Bethany Homes, 201 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58103, to Peace Lutheran Church, 520 Central Avenue N., Hazen, ND 58545, or as the donor wishes.