Freda Myhrwold
Dear Friends,
It is with heavy hearts that we write to inform you of the death of a beloved daughter, aunt, friend, and Nativity staff member, Freda Myhrwold. This loss is sudden and shocking, and our prayers are with Freda's close friends and family members during this time of deep grief.
Simply put, we are heartbroken. Freda has been an integral part of Nativity for over 40 years and has touched the lives of so many. She radiated the light of Christ and blessed us with her immense talent week after week. Her warm smile, welcoming presence, and compassionate leadership have been part of the lifeblood of our community through many changing seasons. To say she will be missed is an extraordinary understatement.
We give thanks for Freda, for the life that she lived and the love that she shared. And we take solace in the fact that she is now safe in the arms of her Savior, whom she loved and served so well.
Please use this online space to share favorite memories, pictures, and stories about Freda. A Celebration of Life will be held at Nativity Lutheran Church in St. Anthony, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 18, at 1:30 pm. Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm.
As Freda so often did, we close this message with a verse: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). Peace be with you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Angela and Pastor Glenn
(Photo Credit: Jason Anderson)
"This Is My Story, This Is My Song"
Before Freda could ever walk, she could balance and stand on her Pappa‘s hand. From that viewpoint, she could look out over the world—a world to which she would bring great light, an abundance of joy, patient love and kindness, and a peace that filled her own soul and flowed out, through her song and through her laughter, into the hearts of all who heard her music.
Freda Marie Myhrwold was born to Arvid and Adeline Myhrwold on November 1, 1957, in a small prairie hospital in Philip, South Dakota. Sweet-tempered and tiny, she delighted everyone in the town of Midland with her playfulness and agility, especially the members of the congregation where her father served as pastor. In Greenwood, Wisconsin, she fine tuned her gymnastic abilities and was often seen doing one handed cartwheels all the way home from school. Sometimes her athletic antics frightened the rest of the family, especially the time she scampered up the steep incline of the outdoor entry to the parsonage basement and fell eight feet onto the concrete step below! Her front teeth were pushed up into the roof of her mouth, but as time passed it didn’t stop her from developing the warm, wide, genuine smile for which she was famous the rest of her life.
The family moved to Downsville, Wisconsin, in 1969, and Freda applied her gymnastic abilities to cheerleading at Menomonie High School. It was during those years that she discovered a new gift: the joy of singing. While doing dishes with her two older sisters, she had learned to carry her own part in rounds and three-part harmony, and in no time she became the lead soprano in the “family choir.” People noticed, and while attending college at Waldorf in Forest City, Iowa, and Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, she was encouraged to share her gift of song with others. With her 12-string guitar and her mellifluous voice she answered God’s Call to musical ministry. Those first years she served on Lutheran Youth Encounter traveling teams (notably Kindred) and acquired yet another deep love . . . international travel! She wrote on the jacket of one of her two CDs that her parents’ wisdom and love had given her a foundation, a sense of security, and the freedom and courage to travel beyond our front yard. She fell in love with a wide variety of cultures and languages and became adept at tying cultures together through the spirit and beauty of song. She became fluent in Spanish and embraced opportunities to communicate the love of God to her “neighbors” all over the world.
With her wanderlust satisfied, she moved to Minneapolis and settled into her next Call to serve at Group Health (later HealthPartners) in nearby Bloomington. As an account executive and special projects manager, she was a skilled communicator, a competent but gentle colleague, and a capable leader who knew how to make wise decisions and stick by them. She was honored with the 2006 HealthPartners President’s Award. Wanderlust rose up within her again, so every vacation meant a journey. She visited people and places on every continent . . . except the last one on her bucket list, Antarctica. (Hopefully, she got a glimpse of it on her last flight, into the arms of her Savior!)
Freda was “mom” to many over the years, to Bible campers, to missionary children in Ecuador, to her cousins’ daughters, and finally to her own parents. She invited her parents to move into the other half of her house, so that she could be nearby, just on the other side of the wall. When Arvid passed away, and Adeline’s memory began to fade, mother and daughter moved to a condo together, where Freda saw to her mother’s every need. Indeed, wherever loving care was needed, Freda responded. During the last months of her life, her passionate advocacy and caregiving extended to all “wayfaring strangers” among us, all who are ignored, treated unjustly, or regarded without compassion.
Her Call to serve as Worship Leader at Nativity Lutheran Church was her strongest and longest commitment. For forty years she shared her love for the Lord through song, story, words of welcome, and the building of deep relationships, and always with a smile that radiated with love for ALL of God’s children.
Freda’s name means “Peace,” and Peace was the gift she offered throughout her lifetime. Her heart beat strong with love and grace, light and joy. Her faithful heart stopped beating on her last trip abroad, her trip to Ireland. May all who knew her continue to feel her pulse and respond to the song she sang: “Go Light YOUR World!” May we all go in peace as Freda rests in peace.
Freda is survived by her mother, Adeline Myhrwold, sisters and brothers Deb (Wayne) Bakke, Peter Myhrwold, Kris (Don) Meyer, Jim (Tammy) Myhrwold, nephews and nieces Carl Bakke, Jarel (Kirsten) Bakke, EmMee (Charlie) Card, Maria Meyer, Andy (Lily Tharp) Meyer, Kaleb (Grace) Myhrwold, and Meleah Myhrwold. She was Auntie (Tante) Freda to four grand nephews Justus, Titus, Arve and Ralf, and she was beloved soulmate to Winston, the lively little papillon dog that stole her heart.
The Celebration of Freda Myhrwold’s life will take place on April 18, 2026, at Nativity Lutheran Church (3312 Silver Lake Road NE, St. Anthony, MN), at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at a later date in Deronda Cemetery, Deronda, Wisconsin. Cards and memorials in memory of Freda may be sent to Nativity Lutheran Church, 3312 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, MN 55418.
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I always enjoyed attending the church event Beer and Hymns; not only would I get to enjoy your singing, but I witnessed how you seemed to have a relationship and story with each song. Even when you sang the most simple of tunes, such as This Little Light of Mine, you added your flair and it touched so many people. You always sang with a smile on your face, a reflection of the genuine kindness you shared with everyone you met.
Today on my walk with my family, I was surprised with a splash of color: the first wildflowers of the season, and they were purple! I would like to think they were from you. God be with you ‘til we meet again!
from the depths of my heart, I am grateful and give thanks that you were part of my life.
You and the whole Myhrwold family held my hand in the two decades of silence between my father and I. Never was I cut off from the family I came from, even though I was overseas.
Every visit in your family meant coming home to me. A haven of laughter, joy, healing and inspiration. And all these precious things were all bundled up inside you, shining out into the world! Memories always bring up your giggles, your wit, your beautiful singing, your love for people. :)
There is something very special that connects us both:
Twice you welcomed each of my daughters into your home, where they could live and experience my family roots. They call you „Mama Freda“, and you took care of my most beloved and precious people…
Both of us have always enjoyed meeting and getting together, on both sides of the ocean. And I will be missing you here!
You traveled on, dear Freda, to a peaceful place, into loving arms waiting for you. May your beautiful voice make the Heavens ring!
My heart reaches out to you with gratefulness and love. And in my heart you will always be, until we meet again.
Love, your cousin, sister and co-mother Crystal.
Love and prayers to the family.
Marcy Sorensen
We pray for Adeline and the rest of Freda's family as we hold you in our prayers and thoughts. May your happy and precious memories give you peace and comfort during these challenging times.
We thank God for you Freda and what you meant to us. We will forever love and miss you. God keep you in His care.
Pat and Bob Meyer
We keep Freda's family and all of the Nativity community in thought and prayer at this time of loss.
I’m struggling with the reality of this world without you in it.
At the same time I can only begin to imagine the fullness of joy you know safely at home with our Lord Jesus.
When I think of you, I am reminded of the young mother several times awakened by her little girl experiencing frightening dreams. Finally, hoping to console, she said to her daughter, “Honey, you are not alone. Jesus is with you!”
Immediately came the reply, “I know Mama, but I need someone with skin on!”
Dear Freda, our Lord Jesus found wonderful freedom to share His love with skin on with so many in, with and through you.
I praise God for the gift of you in my life.
I love you.
See you later,
Char Sunde
She always smiled and lit up everyone around her.
I appreciated her music - she did a great job on a CD that she produced. At a camp function at Mark and Lois Finney's home back in 2022, she beautifully sang Acapella some oldies, like "I love to tell the Story," among others. My family and I last saw Freda last summer (2025) as she took the time to come to a surprise party in honor of the Finney's for their service to the camp as our USA representatives. Her passing reminds us all that death often comes when we least expect it, and for that reason we should be ready, and watchful for the signs happening in our world today and pray for readiness.
Freda welcomed our family into Nativity. She welcomed me into the family of musicians at Nativity. And every time she saw me and hugged me, she welcomed me into her heart, into her life, into her joy. What an incredible blessing every time.
I will miss seeing, hearing, and hugging Freda, but her exuberant joy and faith will continue to buoy me.
I hope I can share a small portion of the grace I received through knowing Freda.
Freda was an active member of Nativity for as long as we can remember. Among the gifts she shared was compassion, loyalty and willingness to serve. We greatly appreciated her being one of the leaders of worship. Her talent, infectious smile and care for others.
We also know her as a leader in the condo association where she and her mother lived. She served as president of the association for a number of years. Members that we know who lived in an apartment there have told us they greatly appreciated her leadership.
We are in shock! We pray for her mother and family who will dearly miss her, her many friends, for Nativity Lutheran Church who will mourn her absence, for the staff who worked closely with her and the list goes
In 2021 She went with a group that Joan and I hosted on a memorable Civil Rights Trip. We are attaching a few photographs taken during of her on the trip.
While we were in Chiclayo, Peru, my dad became ill, and Freda took my place on team for the rest of the South America tour while I returned home.
We stayed in touch as she left the mission field and began working for LYE. She sang in my wedding, adventured in the boundary waters, opened her various homes to our family when in the cities, and so much more. Her mom, siblings, and extended family and friends are in my prayers as Freda has gone HOME to Jesus.
De un hombre que me transformó...Es mi amigo Jesús,...
Solo en él encontré esa paz que busqué. .... (Only in Him do I find the peace I'm looking for.) To her family and friends, please accept my deepest sympathies. Love Hark
As long as I can remember, you were THE person at church who I always looked forward to hugging and talking with, making music with, and listening to. You had the voice of an angel. When I got engaged, I remember introducing you to my fiance, and we hugged and told him ‘this is Freda, and she will sing at our wedding!” My mom chimed in and said “you should probably ask her first!” She laughed and said “of course I will!” She did, and she did it beautifully, and I will forever cherish that memory.
May your soul radiate light and love, just as you did every moment of every day. I will miss you so much.
Freda, until we meet “way beyond the blue,” rest easy my friend.
My prayers for her Mom, siblings and family. Also prayers for the staff and musicians. Freda, thank you for blessing us all and making Nativity such a special and beautiful place to be.
My condolences to her family and many friends.
And what was amazing was that your joy was never superficial or faked. I remember you shared a message once about disappointments you had suffered. It can’t have been easy to lay that out in front of so many people, but it seemed like any time God showed you a way to make someone else feel less alone, you’d give whatever part of yourself that took. Your joy was a wellspring you were always willing to share.
Thank you for singing so much of the endless song for us and with us. Can’t wait until we can hear you again. In the meantime, we will keep doing our best to love courageously and live generously.
Thanks be to God.
I literally grew up with Freda. Attending Nativity throughout childhood and through high school, Freda was always the staple of worship at Nativity. I went to college but came back to Nativity for worship on breaks, always greeted by a giant 'Freda hug'. Freda was present as I was confirmed. She sung at my wedding. She sung at my sister's wedding.
She was fiercely loyal, always radiating joy, and had the most incredible voice. Her years of leading worship and leading the choir was such a gift.
She was a great friend and an amazing faith mentor to me. I am forever thankful for her guidance, love, and friendship as I navigated life.
Freda, you will be so incredibly and dearly missed. Soar in heaven with your dad, and with Gregory Theisen.
Forever loved and cherished. God's peace.
Freda, you were so alive, so energetic, so musical…you always made a point to say hi or smile when you saw me—even when you were busy—which was always.
We will all miss you very much.
Celebration of Life
3312 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55418
Celebration of Life Service at 1:30 pm
Visitation beginning at 12:30 pm
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