Howard Fricke

Howard Fricke, 85, Bismarck, passed away February 6, 2012, at Medcenter One Hospital, Bismarck, ending a 12 year battle with cancer. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Parkway Funeral Service Chapel, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Schauer officiating. Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm Saturday, at Baldwin Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday, February 10, at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. Howard Delbert Fricke was born June 11, 1926, in Bismarck, ND, to William and Edna Rupp Fricke. He was raised in and attended school in Baldwin and the surrounding area. He attended Bismarck High School. In 1945, he served in the U.S. Army as a medical aidman at Mason General Hospital, Brentwood, NY. Howard married Olive Vollan on August 21, 1949, at Sunne Lutheran Church in Wilton, ND. They lived the first year of their marriage at his parents farm near Baldwin and then moved to a farm south of Regan where they lived until 1966 when they moved to Bismarck for four years. In 1970, they purchased their farm northeast of Baldwin. Howard and his sons built the house that was their home and they lived there until retiring to Bismarck in 2004. Howard was a farmer and a steward of the land his whole life. He continued to farm with his son Joel through the fall of 2011 and enjoyed spending a few hours in the combine or making hay. In addition, the four years they lived in Bismarck, Howard worked as a welder at Kirschmann Manufacturing. Through the years, he also worked for the ASCS, measuring land and built pole barns for the Regan Elevator. His children and his grandchildren have benefited from his skill as a woodworker and a welder. Music played a big part in Howard's life and he, along with his lifelong friend, Raymond Olson, played for house parties in the 40s. Howard was a member of the Regan American Legion Post and served on the Baldwin Cemetery Board. Howard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Olive; his four children, Audrey Johns Norman, TX; Don Verna, MN; Joel Donna, Bismarck, and Cheryl, AZ; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Roger Doris and Warren Audrey; sister, Lorraine Vollan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edna Fricke; sister, Ruth Lindsey and a grandson, Daniel Fricke.

Howard Fricke

June 11, 1926 - February 6, 2012