Allen E. Frey

Allen Frey, 88, Granville, ND, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 in a Minot hospital.

Allen Efrahem Frey was born April 22, 1923, a son of Edward and Beatha (Schaeffer) Frey in Bottineau, ND. He was raised and educated in the Kramer, Bantry, Orrin and Granville areas.

Allen enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 26, 1943. He served on the naval aircraft carrier, USS Makassar Strait CV391. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Allen married Arlyss Bacon on June 21, 1948 at Hope Congregational Church in Granville. They began farming their homeplace in 1950 and continued to live there until the present time. Their four sons joined them in operating Frey Angus Ranch in the mid-1970s. Allen continued to farm and ranch with the family operation until his retirement in 2003.

Allen was recognized for his farming practices as a Soil Conservation District Award winner, the ND Angus Association Man of the Year, the Honorary FFA Chapter Degree, the McHenry County Harvest Bowl award from North Dakota State University, and he served on the McHenry County FHA Board and as a deacon for Hope Congregational Church. He was a lifelong member of the American Angus Association, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Hope Congregational Church of Granville.

Allen loved his livestock and his farm. He was a very talented carpenter and builder, and his home, ranch buildings, and corrals were the result of his talents and hard work. He also built and remodeled several homes in the community. He even invented a gate closure for pasture fences. He loved to grow things, and for 14 years he planted and tended a large garden, producing vegetables to sell at the Minot Area Farmers’ Market.

Allen was a good friend and neighbor to all, always ready to visit about the crops and the weather, and especially glad to lend a helping hand and to share his wonderful garden produce. He always had a smile, even though serious health issues caused him to be hospitalized numerous times. He received wonderful care from his doctors and nurses. He enjoyed the Cardiac Rehab Center and credited that to helping him bounce back from his hospitalizations and surgeries.

Most importantly, Allen loved his family. His children grew up working with him every day in the fields and with the livestock. Every grandchild has many wonderful memories of spending time with Grandpa, and helping him with farm tasks. They also credit him as being a patient teacher and role model. During the last few years, he loved the visits and time with his great grandchildren.

Allen’s family includes: wife of 63 years, Arlyss, Granville; sons, Lynn (Shirley), Granville; Arlen, Granville; Vern (Corinne), Towner; and Eddie, Granville; daughter, Merry “Cookie” (Gary) Green, Granville; grandchildren Lance (Crystal) Frey, Minot; Shannon (Darwin) Routledge, Minot; Justin (Lorissa) Green, Maddock; Nathan Green, Bryan, Texas; Krysten (Brooks) Magnuson, Minot; Dustin Frey, Granville; Lynsey Frey, Granville; Jason (Audrey) Frey, Bozeman, MT; Travis (Joslyn) Frey, Towner; Clinton Frey, Grand Forks; and Erica (Chad Hjelmstad) Frey, Valley City; great-grandchildren, Molly and Maizy Frey, Minot; Rylee and Raegen Routledge, Minot; Colton, Jorja, and Naomi Green, Maddock; Brody Magnuson, Minot; Connor, Claira, and Cate Frey, Bozeman, MT; and Aiden Frey, Towner; sister-in-law, Marlys Frey, Whitefish, MT; nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Frey and Beatha Frey Schrader; his brothers, Alvin, John and Melvin Frey; his sister, Mabel Cram; his in-laws, Vernon and Esther Bacon; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law David and Lola Bacon, and Duane and Beverly Woodall.