Arthur Fridgen

Art Fridgen, age 95, of Dumont, Minnesota passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Sanford Wheaton Hospital in Wheaton, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Stanley Wieser Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by Doug Frisch and the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir.

Interment will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, rural Dumont. Pallbearers will be Amy Klindworth, Amber Grayson, Jason Miller, Ryan Miller, Kyle Miller, Tyler Miller, Aaron Johnson, Zach Fridgen, Josh Fridgen, Colin Derenburger and Mason Derenburger. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Art's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 1, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Time of Sharing Service at Ave Maria Catholic Church. Visitation will continue Monday afternoon one hour prior to service time at the church.

Arthur James Fridgen was born on September 11, 1922 in Graceville, Minnesota to John and Ann (Bauer) Fridgen. He attended school at District #42 through the eighth grade. Art married Mary Ann Krauth on September 1, 1956 at St. Peter's Church in Dumont, Minnesota. They had four children: Marcia, Kathy, Tom and Lisa.

At a young age Art went to work for Felix Frisch to help with farming until he enlisted in the Merchant Marines. When he returned to Dumont he went back to work for Felix. After working for Felix Art went into farming on his own until the early 1980s. While farming Art also had a trucking business, hauling grain and gravel. His son-in-law took over the grain hauling part of the business in 1987 while Art continued to haul gravel until his health forced him to retire. He hauled his last load of gravel in June of 2016 at the age of 94. Art was the oldest, active CDL driver in the state of Minnesota and quite possibly the United States. Art enjoyed working every day and it was a hobby that he never considered "work."

In the early 1970s Art was elected Mayor of Dumont by write in vote and he was not happy about this. He said there was NO WAY he was going to serve as mayor!! Art ended up serving the City of Dumont as Mayor for several years. Art had many hobbies. He enjoyed watching All Star Wrestling, hauling gravel, reading, hunting, playing cards and especially working. Art was a generous, honest man with a strong work ethic. He always told his children, "Always tell the truth and have good credit, and you will be fine."

Art is survived by his wife Mary Ann Fridgen of Dumont; children: Marcia Miller of Rosemount, MN: Kathy (LeRoy) Johnson of Dumont; Tom (Heidi) Fridgen of Farwell, MN; and Lisa (Jim) Derenburger of Loveland, CO; grandchildren: Jason (Sylvia) Miller, Ryan (Brianna) Miller, Kyle (Kristy) Miller, Tyler Miller, Amy (Chad) Klindworth, Amber (Mark) Grayson, Aaron (Shanna) Johnson, Josh (Kailey) Fridgen, Zach Fridgen (Elisia Drewelow), Colin Derenburger and Mason Derenburger; step-grandchildren: Stacy (Ken) Rosckes; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Gavin and Emma Miller; Ava and Connor Klindworth; Violet and Willow Grayson; Piper and Pryor Johnson; step-great-grandchildren: Nate and Gabe Rosckes; sister Helen Lynch of Pennsylvania; sister-in-law Millie Krauth; brother-in-law Mike (Jean) Krauth; and many nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Jack and Rosella Krauth; brothers: Francis, Jerry, Don and Ray Fridgen; sister Eleanore Perry; brothers-in-law: Raymond Perry, Minor Lynch, Vernon Krauth and Ronald Krauth; and sisters-in-law: Kay Fridgen, Grace Fridgen, Gloria Fridgen and Betty Krauth.