Floyd Frieze

Floyd Frank Frieze, 85, of Mott, North Dakota, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 4, 2025, at Edgewood Memory Care in Mandan, North Dakota.

Funeral Mass for Floyd Frieze, will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025 at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Mott, with Father Chris Kadrmas celebrating. Burial will follow at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan.

Visitation for Floyd will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Mott, with Rosary and Vigil Service taking place at 6:00 p.m.

Floyd F. Frieze was born September 30, 1939 in a farmhouse south of Bentley, ND in Hettinger County to Michael and Elizabeth (Jacob) Frieze. Floyd completed 8 years of school in Walker Township and later received his GED. Floyd’s first job was a service attendant at Harry’s Friendly Mobile Service station in Mott, ND.

Floyd later joined the National Guard as a LT 1st Class where he completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and later was activated by Kennedy in 1961 for the Berlin Crisis. Floyd’s unit was stationed stateside in Fort Riley, KS as part of the 769th Transportation unit hauling troops with M211 and M135 jeeps.

After returning home from service Floyd “Walked the Line” and was united in marriage to the love of his life, his forever sweetheart Arlene Ann Welsch on November 19, 1962, in Lefor, North Dakota at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. To this holy union the couple fell into a “Burning Ring of Fire” and were blessed with 8 wonderful children: Lyle, Sherry, Mark, Susanne, Marcy, Loren, April and Holly.

In 1962 Floyd managed the West Side Elevator in Mott and went on as an entrepreneur to own several businesses including: Frieze Enco Fuel and Gas, Frieze Exxon Bulk and Propane, and Floyd’s Wrecker Service. Floyd was a pioneer establishing the 1st C-Store (building now used at the Mott swimming pool) and 1st liquor store in Mott known as “Floyd’s Bottle Shop” in 1981.

In 1977 Floyd pursued the opportunity to farm his father- in- law’s land in Stark and Hettinger County. For 15 years he enjoyed the pure and simple joy of working the land with his family through the change of seasons as he grew small grain crops along with the adventure of raising pigs.

In 1985 Floyd founded Frieze Auto Parts, “NAPA” where he worked alongside his son Lyle as manager and Arlene always “Keeping America Running” by being a dedicated, reliable, hard worker. Always on time to the button and attentive to his customers on his daily “route” putting on 330,000+ miles on his Ford Ranger pickup building long lasting relationships that extended well beyond business hours. Floyd’s coin phrase of just “Do the Work” was led by example in all parts of his life. The family business celebrated 40 years just 3 days before his passing.

In addition, Floyd was a member of The Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent’s Church where he served on the Parish Council committee that spearheaded the building of the St Vincent’s Parish Rectory. Floyd was also a volunteer member of the Mott Fire Brigade for 30+ years and helped promote the Playhouse Theatre by putting up upcoming movie posters in surrounding communities. He also drove a school bus “route”, tended bar or as Floyd would say “Anything to make a buck”. It is no wonder Floyd is described by the Community as a Mott icon.

Floyd was extremely welcoming. Always with a pleasant greeting, looking in the eyes and offering a beverage, meal, stick of gum or a tootsie pop. Floyd’s incredible gift of empathy could feel anyone’s hurt or stress. He would offer a warm smile and crack a one liner especially to those that needed it most. Floyd was social and took time with all people. He always looked at name tags or asked people their names and where they were from. Always offering a soft gentle handshake and a smile, wink or giggle.

Floyd and Arlene together built the Frieze House of Total Chaos. Holidays especially “Good Old Country Christmas” were always celebrated with the entire family gathering with great food, Tom and Jerrys, cards, games, laughter and a visit from Santa.

A lot of time was spent at the lake camping as a family with countless memories of boating, skiing, grilling and campfire stories. In addition, Floyd loved to cook, especially a good pot of “zoup”, tinker with tools in his garage, mow lawn, help garden, build bird houses and always have the latest and greatest gadgets as showcased on tv. After a hard day’s work Floyd enjoyed relaxing and cracking a cold one on the deck or “the slab” listening to his favorites: Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn or Polka Party.

Floyd took great pride in his family. Always there for their holy sacraments, birthdays, graduations, weddings, activities and sporting events with a popcorn in hand cheering on his legacy: “Here we go Cardinals, here we go”.

After battling and beating cancer at the age of 83 Floyd’s last year plus spent at Edgewood Memory Care proved to be a “Mission” God led him to by his circumstances. Always making the best of any given situation or challenge he became very well liked and known as the “Hall Monitor”. He was so admired and loved by his fellow residents and care team staff that he was crowned Homecoming King just before celebrating his 85th birthday with a “Polka Party” with friends and family.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated care team at Edgewood Mandan and Caring Edge Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion provided to Floyd during his journey there.

Above all else that Floyd put his heart into his Faith was always first and foremost. He Loved Our Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. He prayed the rosary daily and wore a scapular always. He offered up his many hardships and through that taught us all how to “Keep the Faith”.

Floyd had a heart of gold. So full of love as a devoted husband, committed father and supportive grandfather. Always larger than life in all ways. When asked the key to a happy life Floyd would say “Love, Treat everyone with kindness and the rest will take care of itself.”

Floyd will be forever cherished and deeply missed by his wife of 62 years, Arlene, Mott, ND; 8 Children: Lyle Frieze, Mott, ND; Sherry (Ty) Kelsch, Bismarck, ND; Mark (Melanie) Frieze, Dickinson, ND; Susanne (Richard) Zittleman, Mandan, ND; Marcy (Kory) Mack, Lakeside, NE; Loren (Cameo) Frieze, Mott, ND; April (Scott) Eide, Bismarck, ND; and Holly (Jeremy) Ottmar, Mott, ND. 21 Grandchildren: Kayla (Troy) Dockter, Tel (Betsy) Mack, Malinda Mack, Teeney Frieze, Kamela (Dylan) Timm, Brady (fiancé Sydney Keller) Zittleman, Derrick (Madison) Frieze, Jarad (Julianna) Zittleman, Zachary Frieze, Ashley (David) Glatt, Jackson (Sharlee) Zittleman, Aris (special friend, Ellie Jahner) Eide, Jordan (Sydnee) Ottmar, Mathew (special friend, Summer Sturm) Eide, Katherine Eide, Jazlyn Ottmar, Pierson Frieze, Jada Ottmar, Jayce Ottmar, Aiden Frieze and Jaylee Ottmar; 9 Great Grandchildren: Dax Dockter, Ellalynn, Samuel and Kylar Mack, June and Caiden Timm, Vivienne Floyd Glatt, Andrew Zittleman, Kennedy Frieze and “One’s on the Way”. Bonus Granddaughters: Samantha Moe and Makenzie Charvat. He is also survived by his brothers Leonard and Melvin Frieze as well his sister-in-laws Joanne Fix and Kathy Laub, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friend Kenny Messer.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents Michael and Elizabeth Frieze, his brothers, George, Mike Jr. and Marvin Frieze; and his sisters, Lorraine Schweiger, Lena and Eva Frieze.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations in Honor of Floyd are preferred to help Edgewood Mandan team fight Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day or the Bismarck Cancer Center