Donald Lawrence Friedrich, 91 of Rochester passed away peacefully on May 8, 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Community.

Don was born on July 7, 1929 in Rochester to William and Gladys (Lull) Friedrich. He grew up on the family farm in Marion Township and graduated from Rochester High School in 1947. After graduation, he entered the US Navy and served 4 years. Following honorable discharge, he returned home to run the family farm. On May 31, 1953 he married Betty Kach at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Elma, IA. Rochester has been Don's home for over 68 years. Don then worked at IBM for fourteen years. He soon became very active in local politics. He served four terms as district State Representative in St. Paul. He served as Director of the Minnesota State ASCS Office in St. Paul for eight years, retiring in 1990. He also served on the Marion Township Board and Olmsted County Planning Commission. In his retirement, Don enjoyed helping his nephews operate their earth-moving construction company, Friedrich Construction/Excavating. He and Betty are longtime members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Don was proud to be a forty-eight year member of the American Legion. He and Betty spent many winters in the South, Don's favorite place being Texas. He enjoyed talking with people, having coffee and lunch with friends, running his Bobcat, working in the yard, and traveling.

He is survived by his wife Betty of Rochester; nephews and nieces: Art (Faye) of Rochester, Karen (Chris) Frye of Mt. Vernon, WA, and Allen (Tammy) of Chatfield, Sharon Ollendieck of IA, Shirleen (Keith) Jackson of IA, Kevin Heide of IA, and Sharla (Jeff) Berns of IA.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother William (Marion).

The funeral service for Don will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 11:00AM at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Please observe current social distancing guidelines. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Rochester. Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church, Cottagewood Senior Community or Mayo Clinic Hospice.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com