Harold Friese

Harold Arthur Friese (August 1921 to May 2012) Harold Friese of Fargo, North Dakota, spent most of his life on the West Coast, but last year, after the death of his beloved wife, Frances, he moved to Grand Forks to be near his nieces, Sally Friese Hoffman, Nancy Friese and Laurie Friese Crummy. After the war (164th ND National Guard in Guadalcanal), he married Frances Knirsha of Makoti, ND. In 1949 he graduated from Oregon State University's College of Forestry, followed later by post-graduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Oregon. He said that he had a "career of beauty," and spoke of the sublime joy he felt while walking alone in the forests. During his early years, he managed the Oakridge and Rigdon District Ranger Office in Oregon for the US Forest Service. In June of 1951 he began his long and rewarding career with Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company, one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world, and the world's largest private sector owner of softwood timberland. His first job was at the Sutherlin logging camp, later as a district forester at Cottage Grove, OR. Eventually he and Fran moved to Tacoma where he served as Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company's Seed Manager for the United States, as well as the Seed Consultant to Mexican Pulp Company. He designed and built processing equipment and plants in Arkansas, North Carolina and Washington. While working for Weyerhaeuser, he patented an invention for a new seed-cleaning machine. He also served a term as a Director of the Weyerhaeuser Credit Union, and served as an advisor to the youth of the Junior Achievement Association on behalf of the company. He was proud to work for the Weyerhaeuser Company and often spoke of the great respect he held for George Weyerhaeuser. In conjunction with the Northwest Tree Seed Council, he developed a Seed Zone Map for Washington and Oregon. He was a member of the Puget Sound Society of American Foresters, and served four terms as President of the Northwest Seed Certification Association. Fran and Harold lived in a beautiful home in a park-like setting, overlooking Puget Sound. Forests, deep-sea fishing and woodworking made Harold happy; being outside with her flowers made Fran happy; their home, travel, classical music and walking together made both of them happy. Until the very end, they carried dog biscuits on their long daily walks and knew the names of the dogs in many Tacoma neighborhoods. Together they saw the world - their favorite parts were China, Norway and South Africa, but memories of the Taj Mahal sparkling under a full moon still moved Harold until his last days. Harold was preceded in death by his wife, an infant son, his brothers and their wives - George and Dorothy G. Friese, John and Dorothy H. Friese, Charles and Rhea Friese and his sister Helen Friese (Mrs. Lyle) Jondahl. He leaves behind one brother, Robert Friese (wife Pam) of Port St. Lucie Florida, his wife's sisters, Vera and Anne, wife's nieces Ingrid Higgins and Sandy Harvey and wife's nephew Greg Jones. Fran and Harold will both be buried east of Buxton, North Dakota, at the cemetery of Grue Lutheran Church, founded in 1879 by 63 young pioneers, including Harold's grandfather, Johannes Larson Odegaard.