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1919 Charles 2005

Charles R. Friese

February 22, 1919 — April 27, 2005

Charles Richard Friese was born in Fargo, North Dakota on February 22, 1919 and died in Fargo on April 27, 2005.

After Charles graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1937, he delivered groceries by bicycle for two years in order to save enough money to start his studies at NDAC in 1939. He graduated with a BS degree 1943 and a Master of Science degree (math education) in 1958. He was the principal and math-science teacher at Ulen, Minnesota from 1944-1946, followed by thirty years working as a professor of math at NDSU, where he especially enjoyed working with - inspiring and being inspired by - the young people.

He never met a stranger and often repeated that a "stranger is simply a friend you haven't yet met." He stressed repeatedly that if you can't think of what to say to another person, ask them about themselves because "everyone loves to talk about themselves!" He was especially pleased by being selected by the Fargo Forum as a "Prairie Rose."

Charles was active in the American Lutheran Church most of his life and in Calvary Methodist Church after his marriage. He was the Past Master of the Sunrise Lodge #130, York Rite, a member of the Elks, Moose and Eagles Lodges. He was active in the Fargo Sons of Norway, which is where he met Rhea Gutknecht Scherer whom he married when he was 71. His years with her were the happiest ten years of his life. Together they danced and traveled to Norway and many other places.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rhea; his parents, Laura Ovidia Odegard Friese (8-7-1881 to 7-19-1967) and his father, Emil Albert Friese (4-13-1884 to 2-16-1968), and his siblings, George Franklin Friese, Helen Louise Friese Jondahl, and John Albert Friese. He is survived by his brothers, Harold (Fran) Friese and Robert (Pam), sister-in-law, Dorothy Friese; nieces, Sally, Nancy and Laurie; grandnieces and nephews; stepsons, Tim (Sharon), Ardis (Eldora), David (Cathy), Monte (Diane); and twelve stepgrandchildren and twelve stepgreat-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for today, Friday, April 29, 2005, at 2 PM in the chapel at his place of residence, Riverview Place, 5300 12th Street South, Fargo.



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