Mark Fries, 75

Mark Fries was born in Lewiston, Montana, on May 19, 1949. He died at the age of 75 in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a fall at Lake Havasu, Arizona. He was the oldest of four siblings; his parents were George and Helen Fries.

He graduated from Fergus High School in 1967. He graduated from Montana State University; there, he met and married Kay Whipplinger. They later divorced. After graduating, he was drafted into the Army and spent most of that time in Guam.

He worked as a bank loan officer in South Dakota and Washington for several years. He then worked and finished his career as a loan officer for the Small Business Administration in Portland, Oregon, and Helena, Montana. During that time, he received his Masters Degree from Gonzaga University.

He reconnected with and then married Barbara Behimer Alexander in 1985. They moved to Helena with Barb's kids, Kami and Brad Alexander, and lived there until Mark and Barb retired. They moved to Whitehall, Montana, in 2008. They enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, and camping. In later years, they wintered in Lake Havasu.

Mark is survived by his wife, Barb; their kids, Kami (Nick), and Brad (Miki); grandkids Ellie, Eve, and Will Garrett, and Wyatt and Mason Alexander; his brother Glen (Ann); his brother Scot (Susie); and sister Lori (Tim), as well as by Ron Behimer (Dolly) and Linda (John) Haggerty and all of their families. He also had many cousins with whom he was very close.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Mark will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.