Allen E. Friske

1931 - 2025

Allen E. Friske, 94, of Norwood Young America passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at The Haven in Norwood Young America.

Funeral Service will take place Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church (14735 CR 153) in Cologne with Rev. Eric Zacharias as officiant. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Allen Eugene Friske was born May 24, 1931 in Ashland, WI, the son of Walter and Pauline "Bertha" (Schatz) Friske. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashland, WI. On August 2, 1958, Allen was united in marriage to Jeanne Jakupciak at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wayzata by Rev. Merlin Meyer. They were blessed with five children.

Allen grew up on the farm in northern Wisconsin where he milked cows, thrashed for neighboring farms and sawed lumber with his family. Allen moved to the Twin Cities and co-owned a truck refinishing company before selling it. He worked for Kolstad Truck Repair while working a second job delivering newspapers for the Star & Tribune.

Allen enjoyed deer hunting, camping with his family and fishing in Canada with his brothers. Allen and Jeanne were members of the Norwood Chorus. Their talented group awarded them wonderful trips to Germany to perform. Allen was an accomplished carpenter and built his own home in Wayzata. Later, he was blessed to help his children build and remodel their homes as well. Allen found joy in lending a hand and always had the right tool for the job.

He liked playing cards, dancing, completing puzzles and spending time with his family. Faith in Jesus Christ was Allen's compass and he did his best to follow Him and pass this faith on to his loved ones.

Allen was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne; parents Walter and Bertha Friske; siblings Lois (Frank) Straetz, Robert (Marlene) Friske, Ronald Friske, Wendall (Bonnie) Friske; father-in-law and mother-in-law Michael and Susan Jakupciak; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Michael Jakupciak, John "Jack" Jakupciak, Susan (George) Schroeder, Emily (Donald) Johnson, Ann (Victor) Olson, Arnold Scholz, Pete Ellias, Lyman "Bud" Kerr.

Allen is survived by his loving family: children Susan (Brian) Barnes of Watertown, Sheila (Dean) Scheele of Glencoe, Sally (Sheldon) Rucks of Hamburg, Stephanie (Loren) Morschen of Cologne, Mark (Kristine) Friske of Watertown; grandchildren Todd (Rebecca) Barnes, Matthew (Sarah) Barnes, Michelle (Andrew) Koch, Jakob (Melissa) Scheele, Erich (Aspen) Scheele, Annalisa (Ryan) Sheehan, Robert Rucks and special friend Amanda, Jeremy Price, Sarah Price (fiancé Shannon Raj), Christophe (Emily) Morschen, Audrey (Adam) Bilski, Charles Morschen (fiancé Violet Holthaus), Sophia Morschen, Graham Friske, Brooke Friske, Jack Friske; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Barbara Scholz, Janet Kerr, Nancy Ellias; sisters-in-law Laverne Friske, Alice Jakupciak; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Serving as Casket Bearers are Allen's grandchildren.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.