James "Jimmy" Harm Frieling

It was a sad day for all when he left us the evening of December 11, 2017. We love you, rest easy and give J.F.H.F. (Unc) a hug and a wet-willie. We miss you both. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. William’s Catholic Church in Dutton. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. James “Jimmy” Harm Frieling was born May 4, 1932 to John J. and Veronica (Nagengast) Frieling in Fort Benton, Montana. He was the 5th of 10 children. He graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1950, around this time he saw the woman he decided he was going to marry walking down the sidewalk in Fort Benton. He first enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January of 1951, where he was a Staff Sgt. until discharging in January of 1954. On February 22, 1954 he married Donna L. Brinkman and from this union they had six children, Morris, Daryl, Sherrie, Tracy, Christina, and Jimmer. Jimmy and Donna made their home in Fort Benton for a few years and then moved the family to Dutton, where he would operate, manage, and be jack of all trades (and was good at all of them) for the Dutton Farmers Elevator. He worked there for 43 years until retiring in 2000. Jimmy was a member of St. William’s Catholic Church in Dutton, where he did the church books for many years. He was also a Dutton Volunteer Fireman, school board member, member of the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He had coached little league baseball and was an essential part of opening the Dutton swimming pool. He also refereed and kept scorebook for lots of years. He loved his community and most of all his family and those he chose to adopt into his family. He was an avid Redskins fan and enjoyed all sports especially those that his kids and grandkids participated in. He also bowled, gardened, loved to camp and take trips with family and to see his family, he read and loved sharing his many books. He enjoyed bingo and supper at the Dutton Senior Center, exercise at the Dutton Library, donating blood (LOTS OF IT) and helping the underdog. His most favorite thing in the world was telling anyone and everyone about his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He was known for decorating his house and apple trees for all holidays. Last, but surely not least, he loved saying the rosary with his wife. In October of 2017 Jim had to move from his beloved home in Dutton to the Missouri River Center in Great Falls. Here he found his new normal and was well taken care of by wonderful, loving, and caring staff. Everyone from the office personnel to the care givers treated him and his family with the same care and respect that they would their own. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Donna L. Frieling; sons Morris (Denae) J. Frieling of Brea, CA, Daryl .J Frieling of Dutton, and Tracy (Shanna) J. Frieling of Gallatin Gateway; daughters Sherrie (George) K. Weickum of El Paso TX and Christina (Scott) L. Johnson of Dutton; sister Shirley Yirsa of Big Sandy; grandchildren: Tyler (Ally), Eric (Geena), Harm(Allie), Nikki-Rose, Ashlee(Aaron), Garet, and Zachary; great-grandchildren Maresa and Lennox Weickum; adopted grandchildren, Lanelle Christman, Candice (Christman) Hoerner, and Dylan Givens; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, community members, and care givers. He was preceded in death by his son, James F.H. Frieling; parents John J. and Veronica Frieling; brothers George, Gene, and Stanley “Bub” Frieling; sisters Lenore Steinbacher, Delores Kelley, Marjorie Seright, and Phyllis Peterson; father and mother-in-law Henry and Josephine Brinkman; brother-in-law Don Brinkman; and sister-in-law Sharon Widhalm. The family of James H. Frieling would like to thank all the wonderful people who have helped with the everyday necessities, be it rides to the doctor, phone calls, groceries, visits, cards, kind words. You all have done so much and there are a lot of you. We thank each one of you, it was and is much appreciated. Thank you. Donations in Jimmy’s name may be made to St. Williams Catholic Church, Dutton Senior Center, Dutton Public Library, or charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.