Mark Friemann, age 71, passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly on Monday, May 16, at his home. God took him too soon. This was not the plan. The plan was to move to Florida and enjoy retirement, and he had been very excited about that. Mark worked for 57 years and retired on December 31, 2021. He worked as a paper boy as a teenager and then went on to work at Erdman’s Grocery Store in Rochester and Owatonna as the produce manager. He then got a job which he held for 40 years at the Mayo Clinic in the Department of Central Services. After that for the next ten years he worked at Century High School in the Maintenance Department as a custodian. He also worked as a custodian at RCTC.
Mark was born on March 6, 1951 to Rueben and Vivian (Handy) Friemann in Rochester, Minnesota.
Mark married Diana (Swenson) Friemann on October 1, 1977 in Rochester, Minnesota. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Mark graduated from Mayo High School in 1970.
Mark left behind his wife, Diana Friemann and his son, Scott Friemann (Emily) from Waukesha, Wisconsin, and a daughter, Michelle Johnson (Joshua) from Waukesha, Wisconsin. He had four granddaughters, Lucy Johnson, Maisie Johnson, Annabelle Friemann and Madelyn Friemann. Mark and Diana have five dogs in heaven, Gus, Rocco, Abby, Bubba and Louie and five dogs at home, Wilbur Charles, Walter Montgomery, Sam I Am, Chester Nut and Edgar Mortimer Friemann. Our dogs are the love of our lives and will now provide comfort to Diana, his wife. Mark’s survivors are a brother, Gary (Mary Lou) Friemann from Spring Grove, Minnesota, and a sister Sandy (Dick) Meier in Rochester, Minnesota. He has many nephews and nieces including Cory (Joseph) Lenzmeier, Jennifer (Bruce) Russo, Daniel (Jackie) Hoven, Michael (Heather) Friemann, Jim Friemann, Jenny Friemann, Mary Friemann, Jim Meier, Susan Nash, Brian (Nicole) Friemann, Tim (Jennifer) Friemann, Katie (Kieron) Brewer, Kelly Moore, and Kyle (Ashley) Moore. On the Swenson side his surviving family members are sister in laws Patricia Hoven, Carol (John) Klag, and Marilyn (Jim) Moore.
Mark’s wishes were to have no funeral or memorial services, and we are honoring that request. The Rochester Cremation Services took care of his body, but his soul went to heaven. Now he is with his parents, Rueben and Vivian Friemann, his brother, Mike Friemann, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Friemann, and an unborn infant due to a miscarriage in December, 1985, as well as a brother- in-law and sister-in-law on the Swenson side, Gary and Barbara Swenson who also preceded him in death.
God took Mark too young and although he did not have time enjoy his retirement he will be kept in God’s graces in heaven for eternity. Diana wishes to thank you for your prayers and kindness during these most difficult times and for the outpouring of love and support.
The burial will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens at a later date with just a few immediate family members. He will be laid to rest next to his parents.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Mark may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Condolences to the entire Friemann Swenson family on the loss of Mark Friemann. While he was certainly taken to soon, we know he is now free from pain and suffering. Prayers to his survivors and loved ones as they work through their grief.
To a dear coworker form years ago and a true friend who will truly be missed ,
Working with Mark at Century for a decade was truly a blessing. No one was kinder, more pleasant, or more positive than Mark on a daily basis. A kind and gentle soul who was definitely taken too soon.
Mark was a wonderful person, so kind and friendly on every occasion!
Mark was one of our very best, well liked and hard working custodians at Century High School. It was always great to see his smile and chat about life.
Sending thoughts and prayers.
Your kind words and thoughts and prayers are all appreciated. He will forever be in my heart. Our dogs are wandering around wondering what happened to him. They grieve too. We will miss him so much. You don’t realize how much you depend on each other until one is gone – it would have been 45 years of marriage this coming October, 2022. I will see you again someday. Rest in peace until then. God will take care of you.