Donald Froese

A Celebration of Life service for Donald “Don” Froese, age 87, of Enid, will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 18, 2022, in the Grace Mennonite Church, with Pastors Mike Sommerfeld and Richard Stephens officiating. Don passed away peacefully at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital following heart surgery. With his passing, he went peacefully to go home to be with Jesus, his wife, Donna and son, Stephen, and many other beloved family and friends that went before him. What a rejoicing it must have been as they all embraced him home with the Lord saying, “Welcome home, job well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Don was beloved by all who knew him, whether he was a friend, a husband, a father, grandfather, or great-grandfather, a brother, a son, a family member, or fellow fire fighter.

Don was born on June 24, 1934, and passed on January 13, 2022. He graduated from Enid High School with the class of 1954, during which he was known as one of the best athletes; excelling in football, wrestling, and track. Don always loved sports and competition of all kinds. During his later years, he won many trophies in softball, bowling, archery, golf and ping pong.

After high school he married his longtime sweetheart, Donna Ruth Hughes, at the Grace Mennonite Church on July 3, 1954, and they were married for 53 years until her passing. They were blessed with two children, Stephen Andre’ and Debra Renee’ Froese. During their marriage, Don joined the Enid Fire Department where he served an exemplary career as a fire fighter, training officer, and as a teacher for the American Red Cross for all nursing classes. During their marriage, Don and Donna were heavily involved in the local and State Fire Fighter Association and auxiliary. Don served as President of the Oklahoma State Fire Fighters Association, and as President for the Oklahoma State Fire Fighters Museum and Memorial. A visit to the museum will speak for Don’s devotion to this lifelong involvement as a fire fighter including restoration of an antique fire truck.

He was also a member of the Grace Mennonite Church, singing in a quartet and serving in many capacities, including trustee. He was a member of the Enid Civitans. After his retirement from the fire department, he was the Maintenance Director for Golden Oaks Village, of Enid, and served as the branch manager of Security National Bank of Enid.

Don was preceded in death by his treasured wife, Donna; his son, Stephen; his brother, Jim; and his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Debra Renee’ Semrad and husband, Larry, of Enid; granddaughters, An’drea Semrad Gober and husband, Ryan; Amanda Semrad Peters and husband, Jarron; Shannon, Skye, and Shawn Jacobs, of Guymon; and brothers, Jim and Stan Froese, several great-grandchildren, as well as other family and many friends.

There are not enough words to say, pictures or memories to share, that can describe how much we love and will miss him. Following the services, burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, Enid.