Kenneth Freed
Kenneth Freed, 71, of Watford City, N.D., died Sunday, May 16, 2010, at the McKenzie County Memorial Hospital in Watford City. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Watford City. Pastors Chris Montgomery and Sharon Norstog will officiate. Friends may sign the online register book and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.
Kenny was born on March 12, 1939, at Grassy Butte, N.D., the second son of Joseph and Pauline Freed. He was raised and educated in the Watford City and Grassy Butte areas. He began working for Joe Dewhirst at the age of nine. Joe, along with Alec Chernenko and his uncle, Fritz Freed, became his mentors and instilled a love of ranching and farming in him. He worked for Farmers Union Oil Company in Watford City for a number of years, driving gas truck.
On July 7, 1961, he was united in marriage to Karen Kinden. They resided in Watford City for their first year of marriage and then he accepted a job working for Angus Kennedy, Sr., managing the Kennedy Ranch on Demmik Lake. In the fall of 1965, they moved to their present home south of Watford City and eventually purchased it. In 1968, he entered into a farming and ranching partnership with Lee and Judy Stenehjem that spanned almost three decades.
Kenny was an avid fisherman. You could find him fishing at Bear Den many a day when he had to wait for parts for machinery. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed reading about history. He enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle. Kenny could always be counted on to drop whatever he was doing to help a neighbor.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Watford City; daughter, Carole Freed, and her friend, Clint, of Watford City; three sisters, Mary Ann Stapleman of Casper, Wyo., Winnie (Ken) Schulze of Everett, Pa., and Millie (Robert) Gustafson of Williston, N.D. He is also survived by one uncle, John Friedt, of Calgary, AB Canada; one aunt, Barbara Fornwald, Carlyle, SK Canada; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; three brothers, Fred, Richard and Frank; and one sister, Kathy Gaschk.