Obituary: David Ordell Friggstad

David Ordell Friggstad passed away Feb. 13, 2017, following a brief illness.

He was born in 1944 in Frontier, Saskatchewan, to Carol and Olaf Friggstad, the oldest of seven children. He was raised on the family farm established by his grandparents, Berto and Anna Friggstad, immigrants from Norway. His childhood experiences in Frontier focused on school (grudgingly), hockey, cars and good times with many friends. For his grade-12 school year he attended LCBI, Outlook, Saskatchewan, a Lutheran residential school that Olaf had attended in the 1940s.

Following school in 1963, he worked in the oil patch and then began farming in the Frontier area.

In 1969, he married Dianne Halderman of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. Tragically, Dianne developed cancer, passing away in 1975.

Dave worked with Olaf and brothers Terry and Lorne developing Friggstad Manufacturing Ltd., building farm machinery. Dave married Shirley Haukeness of Hazlet, Saskatchewan, in January 1977 Kerri Ann and Jill Marie were born to this marriage in the next two years. In 1980, Dave moved his family to Havre, Montana, where he managed a new FML plant.

By 2001, Dave was ready to leave the frigid northern climate for warmer environs. He and Shirley moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he worked for a time for an aircraft component manufacturer. He loved living in the desert.

Dave was the eternal optimist, always looking for the "pot of gold." The excitement of a new challenge resulted in many creative enterprises. Dave was also famous for his many legendary exploits. He was the mastermind behind countless practical jokes; his sense of humor was unmatched. All who had met him would agree that Dave was a character.

Dave was predeceased by his first wife, Dianne, and his parents, Olaf and Carol Friggstad.

Left behind is his loving and patient wife of 40 years, Shirley, his daughter Kerri (Joe Christensen, Jared and Molly), his daughter Jill (Dan Yeager), his grandchildren Dax and Daisy, Dave's siblings Obert (Connie), Terry (Dawn), Audrey (Dan), Lorne (Janice), Sharon (Howie) and Doug (Tracy); and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Funeral Care Please offer condolences at http://www.mariposagardens.com.