Christine Margaret Frenzel, 81, peacefully passed away November 27, 2016 at Glendive Medical Center, surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2016 at Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive, with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Christine was born on January 22, 1935 in Dickinson, N.D. to Monica Reichert-Kuntz and Gregor Kuntz. Christine grew up on the family farm and often shared fun memories of farm life and country school with her 9 siblings. Her father died when she was 7 years old and her mother remarried Joseph Jaeger who became her loving stepdad.
On October 26th, 1955, Christine married Fred Frenzel at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. They met before he was drafted to the Korean War and maintained a friendship through letters. Fred often joked that he fell in love with her handwriting first. When Fred returned from Korea, they married and started their life together in Glendive where they raised Cheryl, Colleen, Doug and Michelle.
Christine took great pride at being a homemaker and raising her children. When her children were older, she became employed full-time at Kmart in 1988 and worked until her retirement in 2005.
Christine and Fred enjoyed volunteering and supporting their children and grandchildren’s numerous activities. Christine spent many years at the ball field managing the concession stand with her best friend Ruby Herland while Fred coached Doug through his baseball years. She was secretary of Colleen and Doug’s bowling league for years. One of her favorite sports trips was traveling to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho cheering Michelle’s team on to a softball championship. Christine’s proudest moments came from being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a sparkle in her eye watching them from the stands or listening attentively on the radio. Grandma and Grandpa’s house was the place to be on the holidays, especially Easter when they hosted the best Easter egg hunt followed by the annual whiffle ball tournament. She loved visiting her grandchildren. Her last big adventure was a return trip to Disneyland after 30 years. The memories are priceless and we will treasure them forever. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love through her grandchildren.
Christine was an excellent seamstress and sewed clothes for her children while they were growing up. She enjoyed keeping busy with her hobbies; reading books, crocheting afghans and doilies, and baking the most delicious pies, cakes and cookies. She shared this love and passed on her skills with her eldest daughter Cheryl. Christine had a knack for math and was an avid pinochle player at her second home at the Glendive Senior Center. She played in a card club for over 60 years.
Christine will be remembered as a kind woman with a loving heart for her family and friends. We will miss her and are thankful of the many fond memories of our precious mother, grandmother and friend. Christine was a faithful Catholic. We have comfort knowing she is reunited in Heaven with Fred, her husband of 51 years and their daughter Cheryl.
Christine is survived by one son, Doug (Deb) Frenzel of Dickinson; two daughters, Colleen (Mike) Boyer of Glasgow and Michelle (Mike) Schlabach of Gilbert, Ariz.; one son-in-law, Emery Brelje of Glasgow; 12 grandchildren, Ben (Lindsey) Brelje, Sam (Lacey) Brelje, Erika (Chris) Schilken, Kirk and Kyle Boyer, Tyler Frenzel, Cole (Shannon Heinzler) Frenzel, Kaylee (Derick Popiel) Frenzel, Jena (Austen) Ellenson, Cody, Katie and Rachel Schlabach; 9 great-grandchildren, Mack, Knox, Case and Bella Schilken, Claire and Vivian Brelje, Beau and Ryne Brelje, and Quinlee Popiel; her brother, Pete (Mary) Kuntz; and 2 sisters-in-law, Betty Kuntz and Caroline Kuntz.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Frenzel; her daughter, Cheryl Brelje; her parents, Monica and Gregor Kuntz; her stepfather, Jospeh Jaeger; and her siblings, Leo Kuntz, Frank Kuntz, John (Monica) Kuntz, Rose (Frank) Schwindt, Jack (Mary) Kuntz, Pauline (Tony) Decker, Betty (Harry) Heidt, and George (Gladys) Kuntz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Christine’s name may be made to the Sagebrush Alley Senior Center or to Glendive Babe Ruth Baseball.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.
