Remembering Classmate Jim Froelich

Recent photo of Jim Froelich

"On behalf of the Valley City High School Class of 1961, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of fellow classmate Jim Froelich." -- Barbara (Sheppard) Lang, Chair of the Hiliners61
Alumni Coordinating Committee

Here's the obituary from the Valley City Times-Record:  James ""Jim"" Froelich, age 72, died at the Mayo Hospital, Rochester, Minn. February 21, 2016. He was born August 23, 1943 in Valley City, ND, to Charles and Belinda [ Paulson] Froelich. Jim attended a one room country school and graduated from Valley City High School in 1961. He served honorably in the ND Army National Guard from 1964 until 1970. On May 11, 1964, Jim married Darlene Merkel of Wing, ND in Trinity Lutheran Church at Valley City, ND. They had three sons, Todd, Jay, and Shawn.

Jim and Darlene farmed in Getchell Township north of Valley City until 1993. During that time he served on the Getchell Township Board and was Chairman of the Barnes County Township Officers Association. He also served as a Director and Chairman of the Board of the Valley City Cenex Cooperative. After farming  Jim worked for Homan Feed and Seed in Valley City and managed Homan Feed and Seed businesses in Carrington and Bismarck.

Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially catching big Northern Pike on the Missouri River south of Bismarck. He and Jay caught many big Northern Pike on the Missouri. Jim did many things in his life, but his family was always his first love.

Jim is survived by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Darlene; sons, Todd [Renate] Froelich, Jay Froelich and Shawn Froelich; grandsons, Daniel [Kyrstin] Froelich and Dustin Froelich and fiancé, Glenna Vinton. Sister Frances Harshman, brother John [Sandra] Froelich, brother-in-law Darrell Johnson, and special brother-in-law Doug Merkel who grew up on the farm with Jim and Darlene, and numerous  nieces and nephews. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Belinda Froelich, sisters, Lillian Franklin, Margaret Wittenberg, and Joyce Johnson. Services and burial will be at the ND Veterans Cemetary at Mandan, ND at a later date. Condolences: 1818 E. Capitol Ave. # 207, Bismarck, ND. 58501-2116.  Published on  Feb. 26, 2016.

From the 1961 VCHS Sheyenne Yearbook: