Marlys Kay Johnson Friesz

MARLYS KAY JOHNSON FRIESZ, age 77, of Waseca died unexpectedly on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at her home.

Born on April 10, 1943, in Waseca, she was the daughter of Fred and Hilda (Deppe) Nelson. Baptized on May 9, 1943 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Otisco and confirmed on June 2, 1958, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in New Richland. Marlys graduated from New Richland High School in 1961. Following her schooling, she worked for Misheks. Marlys married Maurice R. Johnson on February 15, 1963, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in New Richland.

Marlys was a farmer’s daughter and then a farmer’s wife. She farmed alongside Maurice until he passed away in 1993. She and Maurice would love to go on road trips to see the countryside and she would always pack a lunch to take with them. They loved to go to auctions, and she would ask him if it was gonna be a one or two thermos auction. She could do anything from driving tractors, grain trucks to baling hay, canning and make beet wine.

She was a member of the Otisco Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school and was on the ladies aid. Currently she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca and served on the altar guild.

After Maurice passed away, Marlys was a board member on the Miss Waseca Scholarship Pageant and was also a judge. She was also in business, Timeless Traditions Floral Shop for a couple of years before moving onto working for Power Team and then Viracon as the switchboard operator and receptionist.

In 2003, she married Loren Friesz on September 17. In retirement, she loved to cook and bake. Known for her “Sweet Treats”. She loved to dance, making homemade cards, and sewing. Her latest projects were making masks and gnomes! She was a very crafty lady. Marlys enjoyed and cherished spending time with her family and friends but loved being Grandma Marlys most of all!

She is survived by her husband, Loren of Waseca; son, Scott and his wife, Kandice Johnson of Owatonna; daughter, Julie and her husband, Nicolas Poehler of Waseca; and daughter, Amie Friesz of Rochester; grandchildren include: Madelynne Poehler, Tyler Prestegard, Katie and Alex Pauley, and Adam Prestegard. She is also survived by sister, Patricia and her husband Richard Hinchley of Waseca; brother, David and his wife, Joan Nelson of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Delaine Scholljegerdes of Waseca; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include: Richard and Diane Friesz of North Dakota, Kathy Kopp of Minnesota, Leona Dillon of Montana, Dennis Friesz of North Dakota, Duane Friesz of Utah, Bernadine Tosterud of Minnesota and Sharon and John Michlitsch of North Dakota; along with many nieces and nephews and of course her faithful puppy Axel.

Preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Arthur and Dea Johnson; husband, Maurice R. Johnson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Roger and Lorraine Johnson, Richard Scholljegerdes, Burney and Marcella Hanson, Marlene Zaharis, and Faye Friesz


Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 5, 2020 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Service in Waseca. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.