Frieda Mortensen

Frieda (Harn) Campbell Mortensen, 94, of Miller, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011 while under the loving care of the staff of the Good Samaritan Society, Miller and Avera Hospice.  She passed away into the loving arms of her Lord while in the companionship of her pastor Mary Ann Sheldon.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller with Pastor Mary Ann Sheldon officiating. Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Frieda Marie Harn was born in Brule County, SD, July 27, 1917, as the youngest of 14 children to Joseph and Margaret (Williams) Harn.  After her mother died in 1921, she was sent to live with a family in Kansas until her father was able to bring her back to Brule County.  She was 8 years old.  Joseph died shortly after her return to South Dakota so Frieda was left without a permanent home.  She lived with several families until she was old enough to work for her board and room.

Frieda married Walter Campbell March 20, 1935 and moved to a farm in South Hand County.  They had three children, Donna, Miles, and Marvin.  In 1942 they bought a farm in Ohio Township.  Frieda was a good cook and homemaker as well as a farm hand.  She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers.  During these years she decorated many "made from scratch" angel food cakes for birthdays, graduations and weddings.  She was a 4-H leader and a member of the Ladies Union Club.  In 1955 the family moved to Miller.  On January 9, 1956, Walter died from a massive heart attack.

Frieda and Mac Mortensen were married on October 7, 1957.  Mac had three grown children, Shirley, Keith and Nedra.  Frieda worked at the Northside Cafe, the Driftwood Cafe and later managed a snack shop at Coral Lanes.  She and Mac enjoyed traveling and playing cards with friends.  The grandchildren were a source of joy for both of them as well.  Mac died November 2, 1990.

She spent many happy hours with Mac's grandchildren and her own grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was active in the United Methodist Church of Miller, teaching Sunday School and other activities.  She especially enjoyed being part of UMW where she served for a time as president.

In 2005 Frieda moved to Courtyard Villa.  It was a great time of life for her, renewing old friendships and making many new friends.  She loved Courtyard Villa and writing the Courtyard Villa news each week for the Miller Press.  She wrote her last column July 14, 2010.

January 13, 2011 she made yet another move to Prairie Good Samaritan Center.  Frieda and her family deeply appreciate the care, love and compassion that she received in both of these facilities.

Her faith in God, the flowers that she planted at each home, her pies, cookies, comfort food and the many letters and columns she wrote, especially in her later years, are also a part of her legacy.

Frieda is survived by daughter, Donna (George) Melber, St. Lawrence; daughter in law, Petrea Campbell, Omaha; step-daughters: Shirley Letsche, Huron and Nedra (Chuck) Jones, Loveland, Colorado.  Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren will miss her dearly.

Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings; her husbands, Walter Campbell and Mac Mortensen; her sons, Miles and Marvin Campbell; her step son, Keith Mortensen; and two of Mac's grandchildren: Rick Davis and Teresa Letsche.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Frieda’s arrangements.