By HDN Staff
Adolph Freier, 75, retired Box Elder postmaster, died Friday, May 12, at a Havre hospital of natural causes.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church in Havre with Pastor Richard Jespersen officiating. Burial is to follow at the Highland Cemetery.
Freier was born March 26, 1925 to John and Mathilda (Philippi) Freier in Box Elder. He attended school and high school in Box Elder.
Freier enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 8, 1946 and was honorably discharged Sept. 19, 1947. He served in the Army of Occupation in Japan as company administration clerk - grade tech 5 and communicated with General Douglas McArthur's Tokyo Headquarters. He was honored by personal salute by Gen. McArthur, who was his idol.
Freier's decorations and citations included both the World War Two victory medal and the Army of Occupation medal, Japan. On May 22, 1965, he married Irene Lego Nelson at the Christ Lutheran Church in Big Sandy. He was U.S. postmaster in Box Elder from Oct. 22, 1948 through April 29, 1981.
Freier was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Box Elder and the Masonic Lodge in Big Sandy.
His hobbies included coin collection, fruit jar collection, photography, and motorcycle riding in his younger years. He was an accomplished guitar player and entertained throughout the area and at area senior centers and rest homes and enjoyed jam sessions.
Freier played the role of Santa Claus for more than a quarter of a century at the Box Elder School Christmas programs. He delivered presents and candy to children at outlying ranches and farms and was a noted historian of the Box Elder area.
He also had numerous long-standing friendships with members of the Native American community, particularly Four Souls, Malcolm Mitchell, Big Knife, John Windy Boy, Joe Dubois, and Ray Belcourt.
Freier was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mathilda Freier; four brothers, John of Campbell, Calif., Ruben and Otto of Box Elder, and Arthur of Wofford Heights, Calif.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Freier of Box Elder; sister, Anna Shelstad of Espenola, N.M.; three brothers, Edwin of Havre, Donald of Billings, and Herb of Havre; stepdaughter, Nondice Soulia of Wildomar, Calif.; two stepsons, Vern Nelson of Denver, Colo. and Jerry Nelson of Helena; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Gift of Life, American Heart Association or to one's choice.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
