Ken Frigen Genealogy Collection

Collection

Identifier: GRHC 229

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of genealogical materials and research conducted by Ken Frigen from the 1980s into the 2000s. The collection would be useful to researchers seeking information on the Germans from Russia families of Frigen, Steinwald, and Wiederrich. The collection contains thirty-nine folders organized into six series. The “Friegein / Frigen Genealogy Series” contains records related to the Frigen families. It appears there was a change in spelling of the last name at some point, thus the records will show both spellings. The “Steinwald Genealogy Series” contains one folder with Steinwald family group sheets listing Steinwald descendants. The “Wiederrich Genealogy Series” contains family group sheets, photographs and other genealogical material related to multiple members of the Wiederrich family. Note that the Wiederrich materials were kept in binders in a specific order. The processed collection is a one-to-one transfer of items grouped by the family member. The “AHSGR Research Series” includes research materials Ken gathered including resources for research and more family tree and genealogy materials. The “Maps Series” includes the maps and some research Ken used during his genealogy research. Finally, the “Correspondence Series” contains letters to and from Ken during his research.

Dates

2020

Conditions Governing Access

Access to the physical collection is available upon request. Request must be made at least three (3) business days prior to ndsu.grhc@ndsu.edu.

Biography

Biography from Bain Bridge Funeral Home

Ken Frigen, 83, of Jamestown, North Dakota, died on March 23, 2019 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Kenneth LeRoy Frigen was born on August 29, 1935, at Potsdam Township near Monango, North Dakota in rural Dickey County to Gottlieb and Ida (Steinwand) Frigen. In late 1946, Ken moved to Enderlin with his parents and graduated from Enderlin High School in 1952 and in 1954 graduated from North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) with an a Electrical Associate Degree.

On March 7, 1955, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served one year in Korea at a Nuclear Bomb Seismic Detection site. Ken was united in marriage to Betty Ekre on December 28, 1955 in Enderlin, North Dakota and had one son, Lee Frigen. Ken remained in the same Air Force installation in Washington, DC but as an employee with the Geotech Corporation. In 1959 he was honorably discharged from active duty and transferred to the Geotech Corporate Office in Garland, Texas. In 1978, Ken moved back to North Dakota and began work as an Electronics Technician for Western Gear in Jamestown, North Dakota. In February, 1999, he retired as their Computer Hardware Systems Manager. In 1979 Ken built his own home in Jamestown brick by brick where he lived until his passing. Ken was recently selected for the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, DC; unfortunately, he was unable to fulfill his dream which would have happened in May 2019.

Ken and Vicky Mecklenberg married on April 1, 1999 in Jamestown, North Dakota. They enjoyed traveling on their Honda motorcycle and camping in their pop-up trailer all over the United States and several Canadian Provinces (almost 100,000 miles in 23 years). They also loved dancing to the Desperado country band, annually canoeing the Crow Wing River in Minnesota with their many friends, listening to bluegrass music and traveling to many Bluegrass Festivals. They celebrated Ken’s 80th birthday by motorcycling to and camping at the Lakes Bluegrass Festival in Pine River, Minnesota guided by PAJOKE. Ken also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brother-like cousin Don Frigen. Ken loved vegetable gardening winning many ribbons at the Stutsman County Fair and taking care of his fruit orchard and grape arbor making wine and jellies from the fruit. Friends would gather for the annual Holy Horseradish on the last Sunday in October, also the Frigen German Supper in February, and making Lefse at a moment’s notice. Ken fixed everything that was broke. Instead of taking his wallet out of his pocket he took his tools and if he couldn’t fix it, it was definitely time for recycle or garbage. Ken was the gatekeeper of the Frigen and Steinwand family history and because of his interest in genealogy, Ken made a surprising discovery of a new cousin, Ruthie and husband Terry Timm living in Nebraska. The four of them experienced many wonderful adventures together.

Ken is survived by his wife, Vicky and her children Lori Mecklenberg, Winnemucca, NV Stacy Meck and her children, Ella, Ari, Zach, Saco, ME; and Ben Mecklenberg, Manchester, NH; Mother-in-Law Leone Lubben, Wheaton, MN; Sister-in-Laws Linda (Gary) Volker, Herman, MN and Beth (Paul) Johnson, Alexandria, MN; Brother-in-Laws Larry (Sheila) Lubben, West Fargo, ND and Steve (Rose) Lubben, Dumont, MN. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and son Lee.

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (Genealogical materials, photographs, homestead documents, related to a number of Germans from Russia families. )

Language of Materials

English

German

Additional Description

Overview

The Ken Frigen Genealogy Collection was donated to the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection in 2020 by Vicky Frigen. The collection contains Ken Frigen’s genealogical work throughout his lifetime. His research included birthplace records, family trees, family groups sheets, photographs, and maps.