Donald Arthur Friauf

Obituary

Donald “Don” Arthur Friauf was born on Wednesday, December 19, 1934, at home on the family farm north of Glencoe, Minnesota, in Rich Valley Township. He was the second oldest child of Arthur and Grace (Sustacek) Friauf. Donald was baptized on February 26, 1949, by Rev. Robert A. Happel at his parent’s home in Glencoe and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 2, 1950, by Rev. Robert A. Happel at Church of Peace in Glencoe. He received his education, grades one through eight at District 22 in Rich Valley Township.

Donald was drafted into the army in February of 1958, serving time in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, then to Fort Hood, Texas, where he spent time with Elvis Presley. From there Donald was sent to Frankfurt, Germany, and was honorably discharged in February of 1960. Elvis Presley was also sent to the same barricks as Donald. Donald had to stand guard for him when Elvis was brought in during the night. Donald was also in the background of the GI Blues movie with Elvis Presley.

On October 8, 1960, Donald was united in marriage to Marlys Heldt by Rev. A. F. Vomhof at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. The couple shared almost 59 years of marriage together. They were blessed with two children, Nancy and Gary.

Donald worked for Green Giant in the pea pack and for a local neighbor doing farm work before going to work full time for the Milwaukee/Soo/CP Railroad for 43 years as a track foreman and retired in December of 1996. He was a faithful member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. He belonged to The Western Fraternal Bohemian Lodge #34 (WFLA) at Komensky Hall, rural Hutchinson, and holds a 75-year pin and a 50-year pin. He also was a life member of the Glencoe VFW Post #5102.

In his free time, Donald enjoyed going deer hunting, summer-time fishing all around area lakes, ice fishing at Mille Lacs Lake, and mowing the lawn, all in his younger years. He enjoyed playing Sheephead, putting puzzles together, gardening, and traveling, especially to Texas in the wintertime. He loved going to dances and dancing with his wife and anybody else that could go as fast as he could. He was truly a very good dancer. He also treasured the time spent with his family and friends.

Donald passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, Minnesota, surrounded by family, having reached the age of 84 years, 9 months and 7 days. Blessed be his memory.

Donald is survived by his:
Wife, Marlys Friauf of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Nancy Wallace and her husband, Patrick, of McKinney, TX,
Gary Friauf and his fiancé, Jennifer Christensen, of Litchfield, MN;
Grandchildren, Erik Wallace, Grace Wallace, Jayden Friauf, McKenna Friauf, Britny Nelson and her husband, James, Nichole Christensen, Kelsey Christensen;
Great Grandchild, Charlette May Kargas;
Sister, Joyce Frey of Alexandria, MN;
Brothers-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, Norman Heldt, Verdella Moehring and her husband, Marvin, Darlene Weber;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his Parents, Arthur and Grace Friauf; Brother, Thomas Friauf; Sister, Arlene Lewin; and other relatives.