Eldeen Friese, 81, of Redfield, SD died Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Eldeen was born December 22, 1925 in Redfield to Walter and Alice (Anderson) Friese. He graduated from Tulare High School in1943. Eldeen served in the United States Army during World War II and was discharged in 1946. He married Laura Bymers on August 27, 1954. They lived in the St. Paul, MN and he worked for the railroad until 1955 when they moved back to Redfield. Eldeen worked at Dakota Hatchery and Mill for over twenty years. He also operated Friese's Service Station for a few years. In 1990, He started working for B&L Food Pride; he enjoyed working there, until retiring in 2006, due to ill health.

Eldeen enjoyed Minnesota Viking Football and Twins Baseball. He was an avid League Bowler and enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball and was named MVP in 1970. Eldeen was a member of the Clay Kiser American Legion Post #92 and Paul A. Schleher VFW Post #2755.

Eldeen is survived by two daughters: Alice (Les) Walker of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and Peggy (Ozzie) Baier of Redfield and one son Dwight Friese of Redfield, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Garrold (Darlene) Friese of Watertown, two sisters Darolyn (Lloyd) Kineard of Purcell, OK and Marlene Penfold of Roscoe, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Laura in 1991, one daughter Mary Allen in 2006, a sister Vyonne Trowbridge and a nephew Bobby Trowbridge.