James Alois Friedel, 77, Fruitdale, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Newell with Rev. Harlan Robbins officiating. Inurnment, with military honors provided by the Nisland American Legion, will be at 12:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

James was born July 3, 1932, in Arlington, SD, to C.A. "Mike" and Abbie (Coy) Friedel. The family moved to Wolsey where James attended school. James worked as a fry cook in Pierre for a short time before joining the US Navy, serving near Korea. Following his honorable discharge in New London, CT, James returned to Newell where his parents were. He worked for the implement company, Hedrick Sales.

James married Audrey Bentz August 6, 1955, at the family farm in Nisland. He worked for a seismograph crew in Wyoming before they settled in Nisland. James worked for his father-in-law, John Bentz, Sr., in Arpan helping to establish a new farm. James then became employed by with Turbiville Electric in Belle Fourche where they lived for three years. Later, he started a motor winding shop. 1960 saw a move to the farm in Arpan where they lived and farmed until 1989. James retired and they moved to Spearfish for one year until they settled in Fruitdale where they have lived since. James did maintenance work at the Belle Fourche Rec Center for 10 years.

Jim enjoyed gardening, wild asparagus picking, and 'tinkering' on projects. James attended First Lutheran Church in Newell and was a member of the Nisland American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey Friedel, Nisland; two sons, Daniel (Idamae) Friedel, Belle Fourche, and Dean (Shari) Friedel, Grant, NE; two daughters, Rose Anne (Joseph) Sulzbach, Gillette, WY, and Karen (Jimmy) Jensen, Nisland; two sisters, Mildred Vasknetz and Margery Bunney, both of Spearfish; nine grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Richard.

Memorials have been established to the First Lutheran Church of Newell and the Christian Worship Hour, Box 2002, Aberdeen, SD 57401.