Raymond G Friez

Raymond G. Friez, 79, Bismarck, died February 5, 2012, following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 10, 2012, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Avenue C, Bismarck, with Rev. Jon Larson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday, February 9, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Ray was born in Bentley, ND, on November 17, 1932. He attended grade school in Bentley and High school in Mott, before moving to Bismarck, where he graduated from Bismarck High School in 1949, at the age of 16. Ray began working at the age of 12, driving a school bus for the Mott School District, and helping to build the Lutheran church there. Ray married the love of his life, Patricia Hendershott, on August 15, 1953. That marriage blessed them with two children, Curtis and Sandra. Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, first being stationed in Louisville, KY, and then serving two years overseas, stationed at Wildflicken, Germany as a Motor Pool Officer. Ray received his Honorable Discharge in 1955. Ray worked hard his whole life, holding many positions with various local businesses, including Brezden Standard Oil, and the position of Manager with Mandan's Bergstrom Supply, Century Motors and OMF. He later worked for Keldon Oil as an accountant, before opening his own accounting business, Friez Accounting. Ray was an LPA and a CPA, auditing many schools and businesses throughout the state and was well-known and respected by his peers for his accounting skills. Ray was able to furnish many answers to his clients regarding tax and financial matters. Ray enjoyed helping others and was a kind and gentle man. Ray attended many state accounting conventions and trips in the 20 years he owned his own business, before selling it to Jason Schuh in 2001. Ray had many interests and worked with the Boy Scouts, troop 123, served as a church board member at Faith Lutheran Church, served as President and became a life- long member of the Sertoma club and was a longtime member of the American Legion, VFW and Elks Club. Upon retiring, Ray spent many hours in his workshop and in the yard, tending to the garden, his roses, and his immaculate lawn. Ray's other interests included hunting, fishing and camping, which he enjoyed with family and friends. Ray is survived by his wife Patricia Friez; two children, Curtis Friez Denice and Sandra Schulz Todd and five grandchildren, Nicholas Friez, Matthew Friez, Kyle Friez, Jerome Schulz and Alexandra Schulz; his brother, Harold Friez; and sisters, Martha McCullough and Ruth Hendershott Lee; sister-in-law, Louise Friez; as well as several nieces and nephews. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Christ and Pauline Friez; his brother, Herbert Friez; brother –in-law, Boyd McCullough; sister-in-law, Elinor Friez; and niece, Linda David.

Raymond G Friez

November 17, 1932 - February 5, 2012