Art Fryslie, who served 2 stints as a Republican the South Dakota Legislature from Willow Lake passed away recently. Art served from 1999-2006 in the House, and from 2009-2012 in the State Senate.
Arthur “Art” Fryslie, age 83, died in his home near Vienna, South Dakota on December 1, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, SD, at 1:00 p.m. with Minister Pam Seefeldt officiating the service. Following the service, please join the family for a lunch and a time of fellowship in the church fellowship area prior to going to the cemetery at Vienna Lutheran Cemetery in rural Vienna, SD. Visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, December 6, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
He was born on October 25, 1941 in Watertown, the son of Lloyd and Elvera (Larson) Fryslie. He was the oldest of their three children. In 1975 he married Jane Claus in Wayne, Nebraska. They had two children, Tara and Jess.
Art graduated from Vienna High School and attended State College in Brookings. He was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church and was involved in several organizations including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Willow Lake Lions Club, the Watertown Gideon Camp, South Dakota Trappers Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the South Dakota Historical Society. He was a member of the South Dakota State Legislature for 12 years, serving eight years in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate.
You can read the entire Obituary here.
He was a super nice guy. Please join me in remembering his service, and in offering your prayers for his family.
I served with Art and he was a genuinely nice guy and a true statesman. Rest in peace my friend.
One of the old school legislators here. A guy you could trust with a handshake. Rest easy sir.
A good man. Would discuss issues and actually listen to your concerns.
Art was a great guy. I can’t think of anyone who was more even-keeled.
A gentleman and a statesman. It was an honor to serve with Art. Rest in Peace.
I smile when I think of Art. He would come up to you with a handshake, and kind of tilt his head while he said “well now….” And he set off politely and reasonably bringing up some practical aspect that should be addressed on some problem or bill. A truly fine gentleman.