Frida Arnken

Funeral Services for Frida Arnken, 88, of Billings, MT formerly of Baker, MT will be 2:00 p. m. Friday, May 30, 2008 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, MT with Pastors Bruce and Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker. Visitation will be 1:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. on Thursday, May 29th at Stevenson Funeral Home. Frida passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Billings Health and Rehab Community in Billings, MT. Frida Arnken was born April 23, 1920 to Johann and Rosalie (Rath) Fuchs in Omska Siberia on land that her family received from Katherine the Great. She grew up here for several years until her family fled from the Bolsheviks and fled to Brazil. While in Brazil rioting broke out and once again force Frida and her family to seek refuge in another country. They found this in Germany in the town of Schwerin. It was here, where Frida finished her schooling and traveled to Paris, France where she studied design at the university. During World War II, Frida found herself in Hamburg, Germany during the firebombing of the town. She fled home to Schwerin during the war. It was during this time that she met Herbert Arnken at a dance on New Years Eve. The two stayed in contact throughout the war, in spite of Herbert becoming a P. O. W and Frida living through the Battle of Berlin. After the war, Frida and Herbert reunited and fled to Western Germany to once again avoid the communist. The couple married on April 10, 1948 in Purm, Germany. To this union two children were born, Barb and Larry. Frida?s uncle, Henry Fuchs, sponsored the family to immigrate to America so the family traveled through Ellis Island en route to Plevna, MT where they made their home on a farm near the Lame Jones area. After a few years, the family moved to Baker and Frida began working as a cook for the Baker Schools and it was here that she was well known for her great cooking abilities. She remained there until she retired to Billing where she lived ever since. Frida was a legendary cook with any of the children that had the pleasure of her meals. She was also an accomplished seamstress and made most of her own clothes throughout her life. Frida enjoyed traveling especially visiting her family in Ohio and Europe. She is survived by her son-in-law James Casselman of Billings, MT; and two grandsons, Larry Casselman of Billings, MT; and Justin Casselman of Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews in America and Germany; sister and brother-in-law Kathie and Heinz Eggert of Oldenburg, Germany. Frida is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; son, Larry Arnken; daughter, Barb Casselman; both parents and six brothers. Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker, MT.


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Burial Date: May 30, 2008
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Friday; Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, MT