In Memory of Ross D. Friedrichsen

Ross D. Friedrichsen, age 60, of Arthur, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at the Odebolt Specialty Care Center of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 31, 2020, at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Father Joseph Dillinger will officiate. Masks are mandatory and required to attend the Funeral Service at St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt.  Committal Services will follow in Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m., on Friday, October 30, 2020, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. Per the families wishes, masks and social distancing during Visitation are optional.  The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

   Ross Daryl Friedrichsen was born on October 17, 1960, to Clarence and Ruby (Schultz) Friedrichsen in Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. Ross was baptized and later confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa. He grew up on a farm between Kiron and Odebolt, Iowa. Ross attended school in Kiron until the third grade when he moved into the Odebolt- Arthur district where he graduated with the class of 1979. In high school Ross excelled in many sports, especially basketball where he earned many awards and held some school records.

   After high school, Ross enrolled in the mechanics program at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa. After college, Ross returned home and worked at Gronau’s full-service station before beginning a career as a mechanic with Krusenstjerna’s. He later went on to work for Case in Ida Grove, Iowa, now known as Vetter’s Equipment. During his 30 plus years working in sales Ross met many customers who have become steadfast friends.

   In 1984, Ross married Jolene (Jenness) Friedrichsen. Two children were born into this union, Casey and Devin. Ross and Jolene later parted ways.

   Throughout his life, Ross had a love for racing. During the 1980’s, he had the opportunity to race late models and sprint cars. He would pass this love of racing onto his two sons. Ross and his sons spent countless hours in the race shop to prepare for the many weekends spent racing at countless tracks. Ross also cherished all of the friendships he made at the race track along with his annual trips to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch the sprint car races with his boys. If Ross couldn’t be at a race he would have it live streamed to his TV at home. It was very rare that he would miss out on a race during the season.

   Ross also enjoyed late afternoons with his friends at the local watering holes, especially Jocks in Odebolt and the Country Pumpkin in Boyer.

   Ross was a proud father and grandfather who treasured his time spent with his family. He would talk to anyone who asked about his sons or grandchildren.

   Left to cherish his memory are his sons Casey (Rachel) Friedrichsen and Devin (Dani) Friedrichsen; grandchildren Evelyn and Sawyer Friedrichsen; mother Ruby Friedrichsen; and sister Lois (Mitch) Bengford all of Odebolt, IA; a sister-in-law Becky Friedrichsen of Wall Lake, IA; and extended family and friends.

   Ross is preceded in death by his father Clarence Friedrichsen and brother Neal Friedrichsen