Roger Duane Frislie was born September 2, 1960, in Wolf Point, Montana, to Allison and Mildred (Vacura) Frislie, Sr. and passed away gently in his sleep April 6, 2015. He attended schools in Wolf Point, Montana until he was twelve and then in Greenbush, Minnesota where he excelled in basketball and baseball and appeared in the book of Who’s Who of High School Athletics, which he was very proud of.
He married Mary Ellen Gray Hawk and to this union came 4 children, and as she already had 3 children from a previous marriage, he helped to raise these as well. They later divorced but remained friends until his passing. In April 14, 2008 he married Jerri Lynn Smoker.
Roger worked at various jobs and farms as a ranch hand before moving back to Wolf Point and began working at A&S Tribal Industries in 1983. He worked there for 13 years in various capacities such as a sander operator, welder, press mechanic, 3rd shift Supervisor and finally in the smelting area, melting scrap aluminum into ingots to be sold, he also drove truck for a period of time with his dad Al, and later for the Ost brothers. He was a trusted and dedicated employee. Roger met many lifelong friends during this time and continued their friendship until his death.
In his later years, Roger worked at the Tribal Ranch as a ranch hand and especially enjoyed his job working cattle and riding horses.
Roger also tried his hand at Rodeoing. He rode saddle bronc, bulls, he loved calf roping and his ex-father-in-law Jim Boyd also taught him to steer wrestle. He was a member of the Burton Rider Rodeo club and helped to weld shoots and ready the grounds for Poplar’s Wild West Days.
Roger is survived by his wife Jerri Lynn, children John Martell, Jr., Unity (Alex Gwin) Martell, Felicia (Dave Mathison) Martell and Melissa (Michael) Horn, Patience and Derrick Frislie, all of Poplar and Alison (Chad) Failing of El Paso, Texas and 7 granddaughters and 19 grandsons. He is also survived by his mother Mildred Frislie of Badger, Minnesota, sisters Karen (Brian) Trangsrud also of Badger, Minda (Jeff) Przekwas of Roseau, Minnesota, brothers Allison (Renae) Frislie, Jr. of Lancaster, Minnesota and Franklin (LaRae) Frislie of Badger, Minnesota and numerous nieces and nephews all of Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his father Allison Frislie and sister Christie Bentow and best friend Woodsy.
His hobbies included fishing, hunting, playing softball, golfing, trapshooting, barbequing and visiting his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed horseback riding and took many rides into the Pryor Mountains with his friend, Robert Wallette.
Dad, the last few years we grew closer together and you will be missed more than words can say. Give Grandpa Frislie and Auntie Christie a big hug from us. We love you.
A prayer service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, 102 Custer Street, Wolf Point, MT. Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, 102 Custer Street, Wolf Point, MT. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at www.claytonstevensonchapel.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.