Thelma M. Frisk

Thelma Maxine Frisk, 90, of Hawley, MN, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Sanford Health Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Thelma was born November 20, 1933, in Cumberland, MD, to John and Eva (Sherman) Riggleman. She grew up in Cumberland and graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1952. She had fond memories of growing up in Maryland with her 13 siblings and was lovingly nicknamed “Elmer” by her brothers. In 1961, Thelma traveled to Minnesota by train to visit the former pastor of her church, Russ Crosby, and his wife, Donna, who were dear friends called to serve at Hawley Alliance Church. Thelma was met at the train depot near Hawley and offered a ride by a charming young man named August Frisk. They fell in love and were married at Hawley Alliance Church on June 1, 1963. They made their home on the family farm northeast of Hawley, where they raised their three children. In 2021, Thelma and August sold the farm and moved into town.

Thelma’s life was centered around her family and her deep faith. As a young girl, she gave her heart and soul to Jesus Christ and her love for the Lord sustained her for her entire lifetime. She was an active and faithful member of Hawley Alliance Church. Thelma enjoyed working in the garden and the bountiful fruits of her labor were skillfully harvested and canned each year to sustain her family over the long Minnesota winters. As skilled as she was at canning, she was equally talented when it came to baking homemade bread and buns, sauerkraut, pickles and potato salad. Life on the farm provided many opportunities for her to bless those working in the fields with her wonderful home-cooked meals. Her gracious hospitality would also shine at the annual Steam Thresher’s Reunion where she loved bringing meals out to the hill.

Getting together with family and friends was especially important to Thelma, and she enjoyed playing cards, board games and marbles. While sports never really interested her earlier in life, she would later enjoy watching the Twins and Vikings alongside her beloved husband. 

Thelma is survived by her husband of 61 years, August; her children, Ronald (Cheri) Frisk, Debra (John) Swenson and Donald Frisk; her brother, Merle (Gloria) Riggleman; sister-in-law, Jeanie Riggleman; grandchildren, Bryan (Kasey) Swenson, Chris Swenson, Parker Swenson, Alexis (Kody) Pastian, Zachary (Allie) Frisk and Mara Frisk, and great-grandchildren, Morgan Swenson, Payton Swenson and Henry Frisk. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Eva Riggleman, and 12 siblings: Wayne (Ruth) Riggleman, Ray (Delores) Riggleman, Carl (Una) Riggleman, Richard (Jackie) Riggleman, Joe Riggleman, Tom (Linnie) Riggleman, Dixie (Roy) Rhodes, Mildred (Frank) Roach, Nancy (Walt) Robinett, Helen Riggleman, Nellie Riggleman and Frances Riggleman. 

Visitation will be Monday, November 11, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN. The funeral service will be Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., at Hawley Alliance Church, Hawley, MN. Interment will be at Dale Covenant Cemetery, rural Hawley, MN.