Leo Freidig

New London, MN.

Leo Freidig, age 86, of New London and formerly of Willmar, died Sunday afternoon, April 8 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 12, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Spicer with Fr. Jeff Horejsi officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. with parish prayers at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 11, at the Green Lake Funeral Home in Spicer and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Leo was born on April 6, 1921, in Sweetbriar, North Dakota, the son of Matthias and Marion (Mossbrucker) Freidig. He grew up on a farm and received his education from rural schools during the Great Depression in North Dakota. In 1943, Leo was married to Helen E. Kocourek, his wife and companion for over 63 years. An auto technician by trade, Leo was offered a job as Service Manager at the Amundson & Evans Chevrolet dealership in Willmar, and moved to the area with his wife and children, Claudia and Dennis in 1952. Their son, Monte was born in Willmar two years later.
During his years in Willmar, Leo was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, as well as local chapters of the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks and Eagle's. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing and continued in the latter pursuit until last year. After owning and operating his own Standard Oil station in Willmar during the 1960's named Leo's Service Center, he became the service manager and later sales manager at Roth Chevrolet, retiring in 1985.
Leo and Helen moved to Nest Lake in 1974 where he enjoyed over 20 years of fishing for the elusive walleye. Four years ago they moved to New London. Well into his 80's, Leo kept active with his church, shooting pool, playing both the accordion and guitar and learning new applications for his computer and video systems.
He is survived by his wife, Helen of New London; three children, Claudia (and Richard) Hopkins of Spicer, Dennis (and Kari) Freidig of Auburn, CA., and Monte (and Jan) Freidig of Petaluma, CA; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sister-in-laws, Maggie Freidig of Mandan, ND., and Delores Freidig of Seattle, WA., besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Matt, Nick and Joe; four sisters, Johanna, Caroline, Frances and Katie; and one great granddaughter, Gracie Hopkins in 2006.