William Herbert Friedrich, 89, of rural Chatfield, died Friday, February 26, 2016, at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester, where he had resided for the past three years. Bill was born March11, 1926, on a farm north of Dover, Minn., to Gladys and William Friedrich. When he was young, his family moved to a farm in Marion Township, where Bill grew up. In his early years, he farmed with horses. He attended Burr Oak School. Bill served in the Army in World War II and was wounded in action in the South Pacific. He was among the first U.S. soldiers into Hiroshima, Japan, after the atomic bomb was dropped. Following the war, he returned to farm with his parents. On May 22, 1948, Bill married Marion Margaret Pagel of Marion, Minn., at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester and were happily married for 67 years. She survives. They farmed with Bill's parents until moving in 1950 to a farm near Chatfield, where they farmed together until retiring. Bill had a strong sense of land stewardship and was twice named Olmsted County Conservation Farmer of the Year. In addition to farming, Bill did soil conservation work, and the terraces and dams he built can be seen on farms throughout Olmsted County and the surrounding area. Bill also had a love of flying, and he got his private pilot's license after getting out of the service. He rebuilt two small airplanes, and for many years flew them off a landing strip on his farm. In his later years, he enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled airplanes. Bill had a wonderful, sense of humor that will be missed. Survivors in addition to Marion include his children, Arthur (Faye) of Marion, Karen (Chris) Frye, and Allen (Tammy), both of rural Chatfield; five grandchildren, Amy (Jacob Slosberg) Frye of Mount Vernon Wash., Adam (Ladia Albertson-Junkans) Frye of Seattle, Wash., and Justin, Hannah and Noah Friedrich, all of rural Chatfield; and his brother, Donald (Betty) of rural Rochester. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be 5:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, and at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com