Obit: Friedenfels, Donald (1945 - 1998)

Contact: Linda Mertens

Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Friedenfels, Malik, Bullock, Mercier, Vocelka, Potocnik, Elsing, Garcia

 ---Source - Helen Johnson's Scrapbook

Donald Dean Friedenfels (21 Aug 1945 - 25 Mar 1998)

Donald “Donny” Dean Friedenfels, 52, Abbotsford, died on March 25, 1998 at the Continental Manor Nursing Home in Abbotsford, where he had resided the past year.

Funeral services were held March 28, at the Maurina Funeral Home in Abbotsford, with Rev. John Malik presiding.  Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Medford.

Pallbearers were Rick Friedenfels, William Bullock, Rich Mercier, Mike Vocelka, Mike Friedenfels, Dave Mercier and Dan Friedenfels.

Donny Friedenfels was born Aug. 21, 1945 in the Town of Maplehurst, Taylor County, the son of Emil and Anna (Potocnik) Friedenfels.  Although Donny had Downs Syndrome, he enjoyed life and was a people person.  He especially loved music and was always ready to share a song.

He helped his parents on the family farm and in 1985 moved to the Eastwood Group Home in Medford and was employed at the Black River Industries.  Donny then resided at the Greenwood Group Home and later at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen for two years before moving to Continental Manor.

Survivors include four brothers, Robert Friedenfels of Medford, Frank (Lillian) Friedenfels of Withee, Richard (Marge) Freidenfels of Oak Creek and Edward (Marge) Friedenfels of Eau Claire; four sisters, Daisy (Jim) Bullock of Minneapolis, Dolores (Jim) Mercier of Colby, Dorothy (John) Elsing of Kendall and Gloria (Roberto) Garcia of Oregon, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Harry Friedenfels and William Friedenfels.