LEO WESLEY FROEHLICH

Leo W Froehlich, age 85, of Devils Lake, ND passed to his eternal home on Thursday, October 13th at his home in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice after a long courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, October 19th at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Pastor Jamie Desai and Doctor Rodney Tkach officiating. Visitation will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 18th from 4PM to 7PM with a service at 7PM. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the North Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery in Mandan at 2PM on Thursday, October 20th. Serving as casket bearers for Leo will be is grandsons Wesley Froehlich, Jordan Froehlich, Justin Froehlich, Robert Liscomb, Michael Davis, and Todd Szczepanski. Music will be provided by Patricia Stalnaker and the United Methodist Church Choir directed by Ted Docktor. Leo Wesley Froehlich, the son of Jacob and Emma (Diede) Froehlich was born July 24, 1926 in McClusky, ND. He attended school in McClusky and was selected to be on the all district and all regional basketball teams as a guard in 1943. Leo graduated from McClusky High School in 1944. He enjoyed baseball and played center field for the McClusky amateur baseball team that took the state championship in 1948. As soon as he reached his 18th birthday he enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS General O.H. Ernst (AP133). Leo was discharged as a FC3/C on June 22, 1946 having served in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters during WWII. His combined military service which included the Navy, Navy Reserve, Army Reserve and Nation Guard came to over 31 years. He retired from the Army National Guard as a Chief Warrant Office (CW3). The ten years he spent with the 188th Army National Guard Band was his best tour of duty. He graduated from Mayville State Teachers College with a BS in Social Studies and a minor in music in 1950. Leo later attended Dickinson State College where he received a degree in music education. He received a Master’s Degree in music education from Bemidji State University. On December 31, 1950 he married Jacqueline (Jackie) Kihlstadius in Clearbrook, MN. Four children were born to this union. Leo taught music in high schools at Elgin, Ray and Devils Lake ND and in Plentywood MT. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and touched many young lives. He was an associate Professor, Director of Bands, and Chairman of the Music Department at Jamestown College for 7 years. Leo served as the Executive Vice President of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce for 7 years and was the president of the State Chamber of Commerce Executive Association for 2 years. While in Jamestown, Leo and his son Wes wrote the programs and routines, directed the music, and led the Jamestown Drum and Bugle Corps to many awards. He directed church choirs in Elgin and Ray ND, Plentywood MT, and Jamestown and Devils Lake ND for a total of over 50+ years. He also directed the Lake Region Area choir performing the Messiah about every 4 years, plus presenting many other concerts. The directing of the Peace Lutheran Choir for 22 years and the United Methodist Choir for 16 years resulted in a joint choir CD, “Praise God” which he was very proud of and loved to share with all that enjoyed music. He loved choral music and especially directing the church choirs. He directed a home school children’s choir which he enjoyed immensely and while in Jamestown he organized and directed a ladies city wide choral group and the community orchestra. Leo belonged to many organizations throughout the years including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, ND Retired Teachers Association, ND National Guard Enlisted Association, and National Guard Association of North Dakota. Some of his many honors included being listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest, Personalities of the West and Midwest, and Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans. He had an Honorary lifetime membership in the Jamestown College Marquis Fraternity. He received the Unsung Hero Award for Devils Lake and Outstanding Artist Award (music) for Lake Region. He also received many military awards. He lived his life with the priorities of God, family and country. His family was his greatest joy. Leo is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Jackie; two sons Wes (Jan) Froehlich, Hillsboro ND and Rory (Lisa) Froehlich of Fairfax VA; 2 daughters Terri Jo (LeRoy) Mickelson of Mandan ND and Melodie (Brad) Utke, Enderlin ND; 12 grandchildren, Tara, Jenna, Amber, Wesley, Jordan, Brei, Ashley, Justin, Joshua, Joseph, Jessica and Johnathan; 4 great grandchildren Devin, Lucas, Jayden and Grady; a brother Robert, Rapid City SD and a sister Mabel Tkach McClusky ND; half brother Tim Froehlich, Beulah, ND and half sister Patricia Stalnaker, Wibaux, Montana. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and “kids” he taught and mentored through the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roy, half-brother Greg, sisters-in-law Arlys and Margie, brother-in-law George, grandson baby Jamie and great-grandson baby Jacob.