Donald Friske

Donald G. “Don” Friske passed away on Aug. 5, 2014 in Kalispell. His home in Rollins, Montana, is the place he loved more than any other.

He was born on Jan. 23, 1927, in Halfmoon to Herbert and Violet Friske. Don spent his growing-up years in Polson and Rollins, and served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

He met his eternal companion, Betty Jane Lee, while stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. It was love at first site and forever after.

Don was an oil and gas company accountant, a Texaco service station owner, a missile silo construction worker, a lumberman, a home-building contractor, a steel-building contractor and a construction inspector for the state of California, but he simply referred to himself as “a Montana cowboy.”

He was a man of integrity and love. He knew how to be a true friend. Some of his grandchildren called him “Grandpa Great.”

Don is loved and survived by his four children and spouses, Lynne and David Thompson, Gaye Bailey, Tom and Pam Friske, and Marla Friske; 30 grandchildren; 70 great grandchildren; and his sister Marlene Rule.

Services for Don Friske will be held in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 180 Redfield Lane, in Lakeside, on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. A viewing will be held at the same location the night before, Friday, Aug. 8, from 5-7 p.m.

Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Lee, who passed away on Nov. 19, 2007. Military honors will be conducted at the graveside.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.