Mark Friesz

Mark Friesz

BALDWIN - Mark C. Friesz, 51, Baldwin, passed away June 13, 2009, at his home, due to complications of lung cancer. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 18, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Art Scanson officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mark was born March 29, 1958, in Elgin, the son of Robert and Martha (Stelter) Friesz. Mark graduated from New Leipzig High School in 1976 and attended Bismarck State College. Mark was married to Naomi Carlson on Aug. 15, 1981, in Bismarck. On Nov. 8, 1983, Jason Robert was born. On Feb. 9, 1988, Matthew Jordan was born. Jason married Kayla Heiser on Oct. 10, 2008. These events were some of the happiest and proudest days for Mark.

Mark worked at Dakota Northwestern Bank and the Holiday Inn. In 1987, Mark and Naomi purchased National Video, which was later renamed Stars on Video. Running the video store was Mark's full-time job and he took great pride in it. In 1999, Mark closed the video store. Because of physical limitations due to back issues, he held various part-time jobs around town. In 2001, the family moved to Baldwin, where he raised chickens and sold eggs until 2007, when he had back surgery. In October 2008, Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Mark is survived by his wife, Naomi, Baldwin; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Kayla Friesz, Bismarck, and his son, Matthew Friesz, Fargo; his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and John Fettig, Bismarck; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Melinda Carlson, Pelican Rapids, Minn.; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tim and Rae Carlson, Hampton, Ill.; his sister-in-law, Patty Carlson, St. Paul, Minn.; his uncle, Irvin Stelter, Elgin; and several nieces, nephews and three very special dogs.

He was preceded in death by his father in November 1975; and his mother in September 2008.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Mark and sign the online guest book.