Donald G. Friest

Donald G. Friest, 77, of Mason City, Iowa, and formerly of Clear Lake, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at Muse Norris Hospice of North Iowa.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kirk Wilkie officiating. Military Honors were conducted after the service by the Clear Lake VFW post 4868. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

  Memorial contributions can be directed to Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Donald was born Feb. 7, 1938, in Britt, Iowa, the son of Marshall and Nellie (Hill) Friest and he was one of four children.

He attended and graduated from the Clear Lake Public Schools.

Don enlisted in the United States Army Security Agency in 1956, and served an extended period in Korea.  Upon his discharge, he enrolled in and graduated from Mason City Junior College and the Bank Administration Institute School, Madison, Wis.

Don was united in marriage to Marge (Horan) Friest on Aug. 5, 1967, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, in Mason City, and to this union, Amy, was born.

Don retired as Assistant Vice President and Cashier at First National Bank after working 23 years.  He started his second career as an Emergency Management Coordinator serving Cerro Gordo and Franklin Counties, retiring after 12 years.

He was a member and past president of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake, treasurer of the North Iowa Area March of Dimes, and secretary of the North Iowa Ducks Unlimited.  Don was also a member of the Elks Lodge No. 375, Mason City, and a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, of Clear Lake.

Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing cards, being outdoors, fishing, remodeling, NASCAR and working on cars.

Don is survived by his daughter, Amy (Adam) Shannon, of Tennessee; Morgan and Meric Shannon; and their grandmother, Marge Friest, of Mason City; three brothers, Jim (Rita) Friest, of Decorah; Bob (Mary Sue) Friest, of Clear Lake; Ken (Anita) Friest, of Harpers Ferry; one niece; five nephews; and care-giver and friend, Rebecca Groh.

Don is preceded in death by his father, Marshall; mother, Nellie; and stepmother, Hazel Friest.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.