Donald Arthur Friedrich was born April 5, 1927 on the family farm near Antelope, Montana to Edwin and Frieda (Reidinger) Friedrich. He was the last of 5 children, following Carl, Martha, Robert, and Harold. His father passed away when he was 5 years old, and he and his brothers took over the farming as soon as they were old enough.
Don graduated from high school in Antelope, where he met Alice Johnson. They were married on September 4, 1947. To this union, 5 children were born: Kathryn, Larry, David, Dale, and Patricia. Donald had attended a mechanics course at Hansen Mechanical School in Fargo, ND after graduation and worked at Donaldson’s Garage in Plentywood.
Don and Alice bought the farm on Ator Creek in 1948, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. They raised grain, hay, and cattle, and Don had a milk cow for many years of his life. Don and his brother Bob had a partnership all of their working lives, supplying beef to the local grocery store, pouring concrete structures for irrigation projects, and running cows for other producers, in addition to farming their own land and running their own cattle.
Don and Alice enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, and visiting relatives. Don never stopped working, well into the later years of his life. If he couldn’t do anything else, he would get on the lawnmower and trim up the yard. His idea of entertainment as he aged was to drive around the country and look at the crops and the cattle. He was able to remain in his home until he reached the end of his life.
Donald was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and served on the church board. He helped take care of the church cemetery for years. His grandfather was the first minister of the church.
Donald is survived by his daughter Kathy Seal of Billings, grandson Kelly McCormick, Plentywood; son David Friedrich and his wife Sheila of Antelope, grandchildren Tammy Bennert and Dan Friedrich; son Dale Friedrich and his wife Monica of Antelope, grandchildren Derek Wehrman, Hannah, Drew, and Carly Friedrich; daughter Pat Halvorson and her husband Larry of Minot, grandchildren Michele McGee, Craig Madsen, Dana and Danielle Halvorson; and a number of great grandchildren.
Don lost his wife Alice in 2009 after 62 years of marriage. He also lost his son Larry to an accident when he was young. Don was the last member of his birth family as his parents and siblings preceded him in death.
Funeral Service; Saturday, October 26, 2024 1:00 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church , 212 N. Maurice, Plentywood, MT 59254
A reception at the church will immediately follow the funeral service.
Graveside committal services at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery will follow the reception.
Donald A. Friedrich
1927 ~ 2024
William Edward Tronson was born June 14, 1931 to Melvin and Lula Tronson at their farm west of Medicine Lake, Montana. He moved with his family in 1936 to the farm east of Medicine Lake, where he grew up, attending school and working on the farm. As a boy, he spent many weekends with his grandfather, Edward Spencer, at his farm six miles to the northeast.
He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from November, 1951 to November, 1954. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, CA and Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA. He served in the Korean War with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. After the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan with the 187 RCT, Sergeant and Qualified Jump Master.
Returning home in 1954, he began raising cattle along with custom grain harvesting. His cattle were well cared for and handled gently. His grain harvest run each year began in Texas, working his way north through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana and into Canada. He acquired lasting friendships on his harvest run over the 34 years. He was a fair man, respectful of others.
He enjoyed driving around Northeast Montana and Northwest North Dakota looking at machinery, buying hay, checking pastures and stopping for coffee.
His quiet nature followed him into his retirement years where he enjoyed reading history and stories of early time settlers. He always kept an eye on the weather station.
He is survived by sisters Mae Reynolds of Billings and Betty Hendrickson of Medicine Lake and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Lula Tronson; sister Shirley Wallander; brothers Donald and Melvin Tronson, Jr.; three brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and one niece.
William Edward Tronson
June 14, 1931 - October 16, 2024
Funeral services for Willy Tronson will be 2PM Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Fulkerson Funeral Chapel in Plentywood. Burial will follow at the Medicine Lake Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Medicine Lake Fire Hall. William Edward Tronson, 93, of Medicine Lake died October 16, 2024 at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive.