Don Frerk, Jr.

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Donald Jay Frerk, Jr., age 61, of Garretson, died unexpectedly on May 1, 2013. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 4-8:00 PM Monday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. In lieu of flowers the family has set up a memorial fund to honor Don.

Donald Jay Frerk, Jr. was born on August 29, 1951 to Donald Frerk, Sr. and Joan (Eitreim) Frerk in Pipestone, MN. He was raised in Garretson, SD, graduating in 1969. Don married his high school sweetheart Mary (Garry) Frerk on July 11, 1970. He served in the United States Navy from 1971 to 1975 as an electrical mechanic on the USS Kitty Hawk. Don was very proud of his service in the Vietnam War and always supported his siblings and friends in their military careers. In 1978 Don joined the family business by purchasing Don’s Auto from his father. He continued his career as an auto mechanic and car dealer for the next 35 years. Don and Mary made their life an adventure together, with many travels, taking the scenic route whenever possible.

Don was blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart. He treasured each and every moment spent with his wife, kids, grandkids, family and friends. Don was the oldest of eight siblings. The “Great Eight” were the best of friends and cherished the times spent together.

Don was a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Henry G. Fix, Post 23; Honorary member of the Garretson Volunteer Fire Department; member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the SD Auto Dealers Association.

Don loved spending time at Stalker Lake, MN, a place he first visited in 1959. From the time the Sleepy Hollow Resort posted a picture of the “Big Fish, Little Boy” he had a love for fishing and the water. He took numerous memorable fishing trips and loved the company as much as the catch. Don also loved fast cars, including drag racing in California and traveling around to Nascar events, meeting new friends everywhere he went. Annual deer hunting trips were a tradition, as well as boat ragadas on the 4th of July. Grandpa Don loved reading and playing board games with the grandkids and teaching them to drive the lawn mower and the pontoon.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Mary, Garretson, SD; children: Michelle (Leon) Olofson, Sioux Falls, SD; Valerie (Steve) Salzbrunn, Oswego, IL; Brad (Solveig) Frerk, Garretson, SD; grandchildren: Sydney and Hayden Olofson; Chloe and Hailey Salzbrunn; Diontae, Aliah, Ella and Lydia Frerk; siblings: Becky Frerk, Sioux Falls, SD; Jim (Shari) Frerk, Mission Hill, SD; Steve (Kris) Frerk, Garretson, SD; Kerry (Kay) Frerk, LaGrange, IL; Wendy (Charlie) Wilson, Norfolk, VA; Nancy (Tony) Grandy, Chesterfield, VA; Jill (Terry) Leitch, Fergus Falls, MN. Also grateful for sharing his life are Mary’s family: Roger (Linda) Garry, Bennington, NE; Bob (Shirley) Garry, Sioux Falls, SD; Mark (Shirley) Garry, Garretson, SD; Julie Garry, Sioux Falls, SD; Jerome (Elaine) Garry, Rochester, MN; Susie (Jeff) Weber, Sioux Falls, SD. 25 Frerk and Garry nieces and nephews called him uncle. He was blessed with a multitude of friends and business associates.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donald Sr. and Joan Frerk; Mary’s parents, Gerald and Toots Garry; brother in law, Jeff Garry and niece Eddie Garry.