Donald Froeschle

Donald G. Froeschle, 84, Bismarck, died December 3, 2010, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Donald was born to Julius and Rosina Sailer Froeschle on October 22, 1926, in Hazen, ND, and attended schools in Hazen. After Don graduated from Hazen High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While in boot camp, he was successful in getting transferred to the Sea Bees Construction Battalion. After the invasion of Okinawa, his battalion built roads, landing strips, bridges, and buildings. His volunteer crew held the distinction of building a bridge across a river in the shortest recorded time. The Japanese on one side of the river and our troops on the other side firing at each other gave the Sea Bees added incentive. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Don attended NDSU and graduated in 1951 with a degree in architecture for the sole purpose of becoming a building contractor. His father then made him an equal partner in his construction company in Hazen. He married Jan Shefstad on June 15, 1952, and moved to Bismarck to form Froeschle Sons, Inc. with his father and brother, Roland. Their successful commercial construction company was based on their strong belief in honesty and integrity in their business dealings. The Froeschle company constructed numerous commercial buildings including motels, schools, hospitals, and office buildings in Bismarck/Mandan and western North Dakota. Two of Don's favorite projects were the Judicial Wing of our State Capitol Building and also the 120-foot concrete Peace Tower at the International Peace Gardens. In 1977, Don received special recognition from the U.S. Department of Labor for his efforts in coordinating the National Apprenticeship Program for carpenters at Bismarck Junior College. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Don sang in the church choir for 45 years, and served on the Board of Trustees and innumerable committees. He was a member of VFW, American Legion, Elks, Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, North Dakota State University Alumni Association, and Apple Creek Country Club. Don lived, loved, and enjoyed his life to the fullest. He thoroughly enjoyed entertaining his family and friends, and made every effort to promote singing and camaraderie. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his storytelling, always willing to share tales of his contracting experiences and various adventures. Don loved the family pontoon boating on the Missouri River with cookouts, sandbar golf, and volleyball. He also enjoyed skiing in the Rockies with family and friends, deer hunting in Montana, golfing anywhere, gardening, playing bridge, and shooting weekly pool with his architect buddies. Upon retirement, Don and Jan did more traveling to Mexico, Central America, and Europe. For twenty years, winter months were spent in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where Don enjoyed golfing and exploring the desert and surrounding mountainous areas. He also continued to pursue a wide variety of business interests. Don wished to thank God for giving him such a wonderful life on this earth together with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Jan of Bismarck; his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn Froeschle and Frank Fadich of San Diego, CA; son-in-law, Jim Duehring and his wife, Gisele of Marquette, MI; his sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Robert Bingham of Mesa, AZ; and his sister-in-law, Betty Froeschle of Prescott, AZ. Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Duehring; his parents; and his brothers, Roland and Richard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Don's name be made to either the Parish Nurse Program or Music Department at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Donald Froeschle

October 22, 1926 - December 3, 2010