Funeral services for Frida Valborg Ostby, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, at the First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Mrs. Ostby died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, at St. John’s Lutheran Home. She was 101 years of age.

Frida was born May 24, 1904, in Freeborn County, the daughter of Andrew and Olava (Stovern) Bakken. She was baptized and confirmed at

Norwegian Trinity Evangelical Church in Albert Lea. She was a charter member of the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. She attended grammar school in District 68 and enrolled at Luther Academy where she took the college preparatory course. In 1922, she entered St. Olaf College, Northfield, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She spent several years teaching high school.

She married P. Eugene Ostby on Aug. 6, 1934, in Albert Lea. She lived on 2nd Street from 1934 to 1954, where she took care of her mother. She then lived on 8th Street from 1954 to 1991, when she moved to Knutson Place.

Christian education was her priority both in youth work, singing groups, teaching bible school, Thursday school and faithfully teaching Sunday school for over 30 years from Cradle Roll through the Bible Dept. She spent 30 years singing in the choir, and served on the executive board, serving as an officer for many other committees. She was an officer for Mission Circle 9 where she gave the Bible studies until glaucoma dimmed her vision.

Frida loved making Norwegian pastries and baking. She was the main person to come to when anyone wanted to know about the family history.

She was a wonderful and loving person to everyone. Her home was always open to everyone.

Frida is survived by her children; Eldora and her husband John (Jack) Kelly of Annandale, Va., Franklin and his wife JoAnn Ostby of Lake Mills; six grandchildren; Julie (John) Kidd, Cindy Kelly, Scott (Pam) Kelly, Cheryl (Travis) Crawmer, Kris Davis, Paul (Julie) Ostby. Great-grandchildren: Chris Kidd, Madison and Justin Crawmer, Jacob and Emma Davis, Brittan, Zachary and Anna Ostby, and Makenna Kelly. Sisters in law; Clarine Ryan, Edythe Stovern, Bobbie Ostby and Helen Ostby. Brother in law Roger (Naomi) Ostby and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 10 brothers; Oswald, Albert, Rudolph, Fritjof, George, Selmer in infancy, Selmer, Dwight, Paul and Hjalmer and four sisters; Laura, Florence, Alma and Olga.

Memorials can be made to Peace and Power, Radio Ministry, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry of First Lutheran Church.