Richard "Dick" Henry Frie

Richard (Dick) Henry Frie, age 92, of Monticello, MN peacefully passed away on January 17, 2026 at Willows Landing Senior Living Community, 4 days after the " Love of his life", Marilyn Frie passed away in their apartment. A Catholic funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Patrick Barnes presiding at Saint Henry Catholic Church, 1001 East 7th Street, Monticello. Visitation will precede the Mass from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Lunch and memorial will follow the Mass at Monticello Country Club. A private family interment will take place on April 25th

Dick was born, at home on May 19, 1933 in Freeport, MN to Joe and Marie Frie. He grew up in Melrose, MN and attended Melrose High School, where he graduated in 1951. His high school years were filled with participation in football, basketball, and baseball for the Dutchmen. He excelled at basketball and attended St. Cloud State Teachers College to play basketball. He met his future wife Marilyn Ann Koshiol in elementary school. They were married in 1954 (71 years of marriage) and moved to Monticello in 1955 after his graduation. He taught English, Speech, and Physical Education, and was the original Athletic Director (1967) at Monticello High School for 35 years. He dedicated his life to educating youth and promoting life lessons through sports and recreation. At Monticello he coached football, basketball, and baseball and started the intramural program at Monticello. He served as Vice President of the Minnesota State High School League ( Hall of Fame 2003), President of the State Athletic Directors Association ( Hall of Fame 2001), and was the first President and founder of Monticello Country Club (1969 ). He was the keynote speaker at numerous national conventions for high school sports.

After retirement, he continued in leadership roles, working to improve his community. He served on the Board of Directors of The Minnesota Golf Association (1975-1990), with emphasis as an on-course rules official. He served in that capacity at major state-wide golf tournaments until 2020. He served as Chairman of the City of Monticello Planning Commission, directing growth in the City and spent 8 years as a Bailiff for District Court #10 in Wright County. In 2023, he was selected to the rejuvenated Monticello Wall of Fame.

He was a devout Catholic, who volunteered for many years at his parish, Saint Henry's. He was a Eucharistic Minister for over 20 years, a member of The Knights of Columbus, and served on the Parish Council.

In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing and spectating at his children's and

 grandchildren's sporting events. He and Marilyn attended every one of their grandson John's basketball games at St. John's University. He attended hundreds of Dan and Mark's golf tournaments. Although he was a SCSU Huskie, he became a huge fan of SJU football and basketball, enjoying tailgating and attending many games. Late in life, he and brother-in-law, Ron Peters spent many days catching sun fish and crappies.

For most of his adult life he was accompanied by his Black Labrador hunting dogs. They hunted together and took daily walks on MCC. His last dog, Boomer may have been his favorite. Boomer's golf ball retrieving skills became legendary. Diving underwater to bring up golf balls, his skills were featured on an episode of  Animal Planet.

He is survived by his children Daniel (Jean) Frie, Mark (Patti) Frie, Mary (Patrick) O'Hara; Six grandchildren John Frie (Lyndsey Pittman), Andy Frie (Katie Krause), Matthew Frie, Alison (Zac) Schuller, Leila (Jack) Lavey, and Joe (Alli) O'Hara; Ten great- grandchildren, with one on the way. He is survived by brothers Tom Frie, Pete (Arlene) Frie, and sisters Rosie Peters and Juanita Hoeschen; and brothers-in-law Robert Schmainda and Robert (Joyce) Koshiol.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Marie Frie; an infant son Richard (Ricky) Gregory Frie; older brother Don Frie and his wife Rosalie Frie, brothers-in-law Cotton Hoeschen and Ronald Peters, and sisters-in-law Jane Frie and Elizabeth (Elsie) Barutt Schmainda.

Many of his lifelong friends went before him, including most of his poker group, which are now reconstituting in heaven. He will be missed, but his memory and accomplishments will live on for many years in the lives he touched.

Dick and Marilyn were dedicated Fellows Society donors to Saint John's School of Theology & Seminary. They believed in the school's mission of providing leaders for the community and their Catholic Church. Please remember the SJU-SOT Seminary for their memorials. You may us the link below to give memorials in Dick Frie's name.