Donald “Don” Friedrich
Sunday, July 7, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Age:
91 years old
Visitation
Date: Tuesday May 11, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Wednesday May 12, 2021
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Wednesday May 12, 2021
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Sunday, July 7, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Age:
91 years old
Sunday, July 7, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Age:
91 years old
Donald “Don” Friedrich
Donald Lawrence Friedrich, 91 of Rochester passed away peacefully on May 8, 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Community.
Don was born on July 7, 1929 in Rochester to William and Gladys (Lull) Friedrich. He grew up on the family farm in Marion Township and graduated from Rochester High School in 1947. After graduation, he entered the US Navy and served 4 years. Following honorable discharge, he returned home to run the family farm. On May 31, 1953 he married Betty Kach at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elma, IA. Rochester has been Don’s home for over 68 years. Don then worked at IBM for fourteen years. He soon became very active in local politics. He served four terms as district State Representative in St. Paul. He served as Director of the Minnesota State ASCS Office in St. Paul for eight years, retiring in 1990. He also served on the Marion Township Board and Olmsted County Planning Commission. In his retirement, Don enjoyed helping his nephews operate their earth-moving construction company, Friedrich Construction/Excavating. He and Betty are longtime members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Don was proud to be a forty-eight year member of the American Legion. He and Betty spent many winters in the South, Don’s favorite place being Texas. He enjoyed talking with people, having coffee and lunch with friends, running his Bobcat, working in the yard, and traveling.
He is survived by his wife Betty of Rochester; nephews and nieces: Art (Faye) of Rochester, Karen (Chris) Frye of Mt. Vernon, WA, and Allen (Tammy) of Chatfield, Sharon Ollendieck of IA, Shirleen (Keith) Jackson of IA, Kevin Heide of IA, and Sharla (Jeff) Berns of IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother William (Marion).
The funeral service for Don will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 11:00AM at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Please observe current social distancing guidelines. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Rochester. Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church, Cottagewood Senior Community or Mayo Clinic Hospice.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Donald “Don” Friedrich has received the following condolences.
Sorry for your loss. I had the opportunity to work with Don when he was state FSA director. What a nice man who was easy to work with. He gave me the answers straight and easy to understand terms. He listened and we shared some laughs. He made my job much easier. He will be missed.
Sorry to hear about Don’s passing. I worked for him as one of his ASCS managers. I really enjoyed working for him and he was a really great leader.
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a wonderful person and I was fortunate to work for him.
Ron Zaun
Betty -- please accept my condolences on Don's passing.
He was such good friend to by parents and to Dale and Martha. When ever I saw him, he was always smiling and in a positive mood.
He was definitely one in a million.
Jeanette
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Don. He surely served his family and community so very well in many different roles. We are gratefully for having had the opportunity to know Don, especially in his public service role as a state representative. Be consoled by your faith and many fond memories. God Bless.
Betty and family,
My deepest sympathy and prayers extend to you all. Don was a great person and I enjoyed our many conversations over the years. Our home bordered the farm and he did some finishing work for me with his beloved Bobcat. He always would take the time to offer guidance when I was appointed to the Marion Town board. His experience and perspective was always appreciated. He enjoyed his role as moderator at the township annual meeting. Betty also enjoyed many conversations with you both at church on Saturday nights. May all the wonderful memories bring you comfort and peace.
My sympathies to Betty. Don gave me my first job at ASCS and then I worked in the Olmstead County office as CED for a five years. He was a great boss and a good man. He'll be missed.