Dale "Buzz" Friestad, 83 of McAlester Oklahoma, went to live with the Lord on September 23 ^rd , 2021 after extended health problems, non-covid related. The family welcomes friends for viewing and visitation on Wednesday, September 29 ^th from 5-8pm at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home and Dale's celebration of life on Thursday, September 30 ^th at 10am, First United Methodist Church of McAlester, with Dr. Matt Judkins officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons Jordan Renner and Zac Friestad; Paul Bishop, Woodrow Hall, Pat Lewis, and Keith McCullar. Honorary pall bearers are the TNT Sunday school class from FUMC.

Dale "Buzz" Friestad was born June 18 ^th , 1938 in Ottawa, Illinois to Martin and Clara (Thorson) Friestad. He and his twin sister were the youngest of seven children. Buzz grew up on a northern Illinois farm. He started working for North States Oil Company while in High School. By the age of 21, he was a partner in the company operating his own station in Aurora, Illinois. When the company sold, Buzz was a partner in several of the stations.  Buzz enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1961 serving his country for 6 years.  He had earned the rank of Sargent when he completed his service and received an Honorable Discharge.  In 1964, he married Florence Johnson in Downers Grove, Illinois.

In November of 1982 the Friestads moved to McAlester when they bought the Santa Barbara Motel, rebranded as a Comfort Inn in 1988 and then the Best Western Inn of McAlester in 1998. In 2012 he and son Mark purchased the AmericInn. Buzz was very proud of the success we have had with our family-owned business.

Dale was community minded. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on several committees. He was very proud to be one of the promoters of building the new church building. He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club, served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors twice, served on the Country Club Board, was a 32 ^nd degree Mason and Shriner and was instrumental in helping bring the Sunbelt Classic to McAlester.  Dale was an active member of the Community Bible Study group.

Buzz loved to travel with his wife in their motor home. He loved the game of golf as well as boating on Lake Eufaula and other lakes and rivers. He looked forward to spending time with his wife and family in Port Isabelle, Texas (South Padre Island).  Buzz thoroughly enjoyed watching his favorite TV game shows daily and going to the Wellness Center, as well as drinking coffee with friends at Marilyn's Restaurant and walking the track.

Dale is survived by his wife of 57 years, Florence Friestad; his children Julie Renner; Mark Friestad and wife Melanie; grandchildren, Jordan Renner and wife Audrey, Jacquelyn Renner, Zac Friestad, Ava Friestad, and numerous other loving family members.

Dale is also survived by his brother and sister in-law Robert "Bob" and Sharon Friestad; two sisters Lois Bounds and his twin Darlene Johnson; sister in-law Mary Lou Friestad all of Illinois; sister in-law and brother in-law Louise and George Carter of California; sister in-law Alice Hawes of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother in-law Bill Bounds, Morris, Illinois; his sisters and brother in-laws Fern and Dutch Dippel, Ottawa, Illinois and Doris and Jack Jones, Tyler, Texas; brother, Everett "Bud" Friestad, and brother in-law George Johnson, Ottawa, Illinois.

We extend our appreciation to the McAlester fire department EMTs for all their help and caregivers Darnette and Randy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church of McAlester, Church Building Fund; 1501 S. 13 ^th Street, McAlester, Oklahoma 74501.