Josephine Friis, 93, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 14, 2015.
She is survived by her three daughters Ellen (Ted) Truslow of Wakefield, R.I., Randi (Carl) Stevens of Decatur, Ind., and Leila (Todd) Darress of Vero Beach; seven grandchildren Jennifer (Mark) Hurrell and Kathy Truslow (deceased) of Wakefield, R.I., Erik (Margaret) Stevens of Fishers, Ind., Wayne (Lindsay) Stevens of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Tamara (Justin) Zaharczuk and Amanda (Stephen) Murdock of Vero Beach, and Tanya Darress of Okeechobee; nine great- grandchildren Hailey and Taylor Hurrell of Wakefield, R.I., Benjamin Stevens of Fishers, Ind., Jillian and Emily of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jarred, Abigail and Joshua Murdock of Vero Beach, and Reese Darress of Okeechobee.
Born March 4, 1921, in Atlas, Penn., Friis grew up as a coal miner’s daughter, moved on to Brooklyn, N.Y. where she supported the WWII effort as a Rosie Riveter. There she met her husband, Edward Friis (deceased).
They lived in Thornwood, N.Y. where they raised their family of three girls. In Brewster, N.Y. with her husband using their entrepreneurial spirit, they opened the Red Rooster Drive In, which later received multiple accolades for one of the top 10 best drive-ins in the US.
While raising her daughters, she went on to become a beautician and later a cook within the local schools. Following retirement, Friis and her husband moved to Stuart. Using her homemaking skills, she worked in the home decor department of T.G. & Y. Her husband’s Norwegian heritage led them to join the Sons of Norway to share the family culture with their children and grandchildren.
Friis’ legacy continues with her family who she inspired to carry on the spirit of love, caring, entrepreneurship, determination and incredible dedication to family. She will always be held close at heart in all the years to come. An online guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
