Harriet Frances Friesen, born August 9, 1927, the first of 10 children born to Alfreida “Fritz” Hagen and Louis Vincent Green in Wolf Point, MT. On October 5, 1953 she married Julius “Blackie” Friesen, a Korean War Veteran. They had 4 children, Patrick (Heather and grandson Chase), Mary (Robert and grandson Louie) Buckles, Cathryn (Ken) Wylie and infant daughter deceased, Alfreida Jean. Harriet was baptized by Fr. Benedict Seethaler with Fremont Green and Mayme Carroll as her Godparents at Immaculate Conception Church. She graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1945. In 2003, Harriet with 8 classmates, decided to meet once a month for lunch as long as they were able. They celebrated their 65 th Class Reunion by watching the parade from the corner just down the street from her family home.
As a young girl, the Green family lived on the homestead in the Lustre area during the summers and at their home in Wolf Point during the school year. Harriet shared memories of working at the Red Owl, Gambles, the Liberty Theatre and her 1 st clerk job at MDU when she graduated from High School. She also worked at the Hiline Creamery where she met Blackie, at the Roosevelt Clerk and Recorder Office and the Montana Veterans Office.
In 1955, Harriet and Blackie moved to the family home on 1 st Avenue South , next door to the Greens. Her door was always open for neighbors and friends to share a cup of coffee and a visit around the kitchen table. The home was a center of childhood activity. Harriet was part of Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, 4H, Junior Degree of Honor and Girls State . Blackie and Harriet also volunteered with the Roosevelt County Welfare Office as foster parents both for newborns and children waiting to be adopted or returned to their parents.
Harriet’s faith in God was central to her life. Baptized, Confirmed and Married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, she was very much a part of her parish family. She taught catechism, was a chart er member of St Catherine’s Altar Society Group, member of the Catholic Daughters Court of the Little Flower and PCCW. She attended Mass at the Faith Home every Thursday for many years and then would go visit residents. After moving to the Faith Home in August 2017, she attended Mass as a resident. She looked forward to spring when she hoped to be able to go for a ride and spend Sunday at church. Right side, third pew.
Harriet was active in her community as well as her church. She served on the Faith Home Board and NEMHS Board for 28 years. She also served on the Roosevelt County Health Board and the Wolf Point Area Museum . She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, DAV, the Degree of Honor and Democratic Party.
Harriet was a genealogy buff and loved the history of both the Green and Friesen families. She could spend hours listening to her beloved Uncle Fremont telling her stories. Over the years, many people, both family and strangers, turned to her for information about their family histories.
Harriet is survived by her children, Pat, Mary and Cathryn; grandsons Louie and Chase; her brothers Tom and Mike; sisters Joann Jablonski and Rita Lampton; foster brothers, John and Matt Courchene.
She is preceded in death by her husband Blackie; daughter Alfreida; parents Louis V and Alfreida Green; Maternal grandparents George and Frances Hagen; brothers George, Dick and John; sisters Mary Lou and Grace.