Dennis Friestad Obituary

Name: Visitation for Dennis Friestad
Start: 2020-12-27T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-12-27T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Our Savior's Lutheran Church

Dennis Friestad, age 76, of Enderlin, ND, formerly of Valley City, ND, died Monday, December 21st at Maryhill Manor, Enderlin, ND after a 14 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. A private family service will be held on Monday, December 28th at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Valley City. Public Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 27th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Due to COVID 19, ND Department of Health Regulations will be followed, social distance will encouraged and Masks will be required. Burial will be in Stiklestad Cemetery near Fort Ransom, ND.
Dennis James Friestad was born February 10, 1944, to Juel and Mabel Friestad. He was raised on a farm near Kintyre, ND. A graduate of Napoleon High School and Valley City State College, he was an accomplished athlete, and went on to teach and coach at Valley City High School for 39 years. He is in the VCHS, VCSU, and ND Wrestling Halls of Fame. As a Science Olympiad coach, his teams made many trips to national competitions, and Dennis continued helping coordinate regional and state competitions after he retired.
He married Helen Berger on June 7, 1968. As a young man, he spent summers as a smokejumper with the Forest Service. In the 1980s, Dennis served on the board of Valley City Community Theatre and spent many summers building sets as well as acting in performances. He was active in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, singing in the choir and cooking lutefisk for the annual supper. With his family, he traveled to nearly all 50 states and a handful of foreign countries. His other favorite pastimes included golf, racquetball, and tending his fruit and vegetable garden, raising produce that he sold to local restaurants and grocery stores.
Dennis had a great sense of humor and a dry wit. He loved playing cards and laughing at a good story.
He is survived by his wife Helen; children Karla (Kirby) Robb, Jacob, Molly, and Megan, South Heart; Mark (Allison) Friestad, Grayson and Blakely, Vista, CA; Jill (Eric) Bergstedt, Rachael, Martin, Natalie, and Julia, Enderlin; sister Judy Woods, Bellevue, NE; brother Soren (Terry) Friestad, West Fargo; sister-in-law Sheila Friestad, Kintyre; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ronnie and Doug.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Valley City Times-Record from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Friestad

8 Entries

Dennis Gillund

December 15, 2021

We were in college together and had some great times! Always enjoyed his sense of humor. A great athlete who went on to become a great teacher and coach. He will be missed by many!! Dennis Gillund

Sherri Westby

December 27, 2020

Sincere sympathies to the family of Dennis Friestad.
Sincerely,
Sherri Westby

Tobyn Anderson

December 26, 2020

Many will understandably remember Dennis for his outstanding coaching skills, but I will remember him for his teaching talents. Anyone who could help me understand freshman algebra was deserving of a national teaching award! My father (VCHS Supt.) considered Dennis one of the shining stars of the faculty. My sincere condolences to the Friestad family.

Rich Christen

December 24, 2020

I worked with Dennis at Valley City High School from 1975-1980, and I could not have had a better mentor and friend as a young teacher and coach. Dennis was a dedicated teacher, hardworking and always trying new methods ways to engage his students. Inventive and naturally creative, he was especially gifted at teaching science. A history teacher assigned to teach physical science for one year, I would never have made it through without Dennis’ ideas and daily encouragement. As a coach, he always went the extra mile to help the wrestlers and build the program, wrestling with Tim Zaun, Joey Coughlin, and countless others, endlessly hauling mats from the school to the civic auditorium, hosting the Christmas tournament, and running the spring program for young kids. Outside of teaching and coaching, I marveled at Dennis’ boundless energy, curiosity, and love of life. He was interested in everything, always trying new things and engaging in some new project. From smoke-jumping, to summer theater, to gardening, Dennis did everything to the utmost. One summer Dennis talked me into selling fireworks and concessions with him at the Fort Ransom 4th of July celebration. It was brutally hot and I’ve never worked so hard for so little. But I will also never forget my time with Dennis: his energy; his unbelievable work ethic; his smile, sense of humor, and encouragement when I was ready to give up. I was lucky to know Dennis, and I will always be grateful for how he and Helen took Vicki and I under their wings, providing two naïve newlyweds and parents with guidance and endless patience. Our condolences to you Helen. And to Dennis, thank you for your example of a life well-lived.

Dennis gillund

December 22, 2020

I am sorry for your loss. Dennis and I were college friends. Great sense of humor and always positive! Dennis gillund

Dean paulson

December 22, 2020

As a skinny undersized kid I went out for football every year and was the worst player on the team. I remember as a freshman playing in a game and Mr Friestad put me in at middle linebacker. I thought he was crazy but he encouraged me and pushed me out on the field. I made a couple solo tackles and missed an easy interception. We lost the game and after the game in the locker room he came in and praised us. He singled me out and praised me in front of the whole team. It was the only time a coach had ever done that The next morning on the announcements he gave the stats on the game and called my missed interception a batted down pass. I think I grew three inches that day. I know you left a legacy of great high school athletes in your career but from the skinny kid on the team who never had any awards you left a lasting impression and as a retired teacher and coach of thirty years, I endeavored to treat my students and my athletes like you treated me. Thank you mr Friestad! I’ll see you when I get home. Please consider me for the 152 pound spot. Godspeed my friend
Dean Paulson
Anchorage Alaska

Brian Griffin

December 22, 2020

I was saddened to learn of Dennis’ passing. I taught and coached at VCHS from 1969 to 1974, and had great admiration for his relationship with the Hiliner students and athletes. His work ethic seamlessly passed to the kids he worked with, and the results were always positive. My thoughts and prayers are extended to the family. May Dennis RIP!
Brian Griffin, Battle Lake, MN

James Vandrovec

December 21, 2020

Dennis was a mentor and one heck of a competitor and coach. He wrestled with kids he coached and held his own during his middle ages. He almost died on the mat!!! Never quit. He entered an old timers wrestling tournament and Jamestown and went overtime with young plumber from Napoleon. I actually forget the outcome but Dennis had no reason to hang in there that long. He had no quit in him. When he couldn't attend the state wrestling tournament anymore I think that really hurt...Dennis, Mr. Wrestling Hall of Fame, God rest your soul. You will be missed.

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