John D.E. Friend

John D. E. Friend

July 1^st, 1943 – May 30^th, 2020

John D. E. Friend, 76 of Grand Forks, ND died Saturday, May 30^th, 2020 in his home.  John D. E. Friend was born July 1^st, 1943 in Boonville, Indiana, the son of John and Helen Grace (Midkiff Putnam) Friend.  He grew up and attended school in Mt Carmel, Illinois, and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1961.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school and was eventually stationed in Grand Forks where he met is wife.  He married Donna Mae (Dahl) Friend on Sept. 25^th, 1965 at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.  They made their home in Grand Forks and had three children.  Donna passed away in August 16,^th 2012.  In 2013 he met his fiancé Shanna Bowman of Northfield, MN.  They were engaged in March 2014 and had planned to get married this fall.   John worked at KBM, Inc., as an aerial mapper in Grand Forks, for over 40 years until his retirement in 2013.  John enjoyed UND athletics, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and devoting time for worship.  He will always be known as a man of faith and putting everyone before himself.  John is survived by sons:  John P. (Stacy) Friend – Grand Forks.  James (Amanda) Friend – Rapid City, SD.  Daughter:  Jennifer (Steve) Vetter, Grand Forks, Sister:  Sarah (Robert) Smith – Edgewater, Fl.  Fiancé: Shanna Bowman – Grand Forks.  Grandchildren:  Courtney, Bailey, Brady, Nicholas, Gavin, Parker, Andrew, and Hudson. Great-grandson, Todd.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law: George Kalas; a sister-in-law: Rosemary Kalas; and a nephew: Lawrence “Larry” Brokke.

Graveside Services will be  11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in  Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks.  Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks.