Obituary - Barbara Lee Friede

Barbara Lee Friede, 63, passed away due to natural causes Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Havre.

Her wake began at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2019 with funeral services at 10:00 a.m. today, August 13, 2019, all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Barbara’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com/.

Barb was born July 5, 1956, in Los Angeles, CA, to Thomas and Josephine (Lamere) Koop Sr. She was raised in Dinuba until she was 17 years old, when her family moved to Rocky Boy. Barb met Harvey Friede in 1975 and they married in 1983. The couple remained in Rocky Boy, where they raised their four children.

Barb began working as a teacher’s aide at Rocky Boy Head Start. While working, she obtained her bachelor’s degrees in early childhood development and elementary education. She worked in many positions for Head Start over the years, cumulating in serving as director of the program. She retired from Head Start after approximately 25 years and then worked for Rocky Boy Health Department in diabetes prevention for several years until her health forced her to retire.

Barb enjoyed traveling, puzzles, playing machines, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Barb is preceded in death by her son Blair Friede; grandson Cruz Friede; parents, Thomas and Josephine (Lamere) Koop Sr; brother Thomas Koop Jr .; and nephew Jesse James Gardipee.

She is survived by husband Harvey Friede of Rocky Boy; children Thomas Koop III of Great Falls and Lisa (Ted Russette) Friede and Priscilla (Thane Houle) Friede, all of Rocky Boy; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary (Ron) Berry of Orosi, CA, and Gloria (Tom) Parisian, Kathy (Sonny Boy) St. Marks, and Michele (Nolan) Parker, all of Rocky Boy; brothers Tim (Kelly) Koop and Ted (Linda) Koop, all of Rocky Boy; aunt Merceline Parker; uncle Jimmy Lamere; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.