Kelly G Froelich

Kelly G. Froelich, 59, Selfridge, passed away September 30, 2025, after complications from triple bypass surgery.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan, with Father Josh Waltz celebrating. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan with a prayer service and time of sharing at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Kelly was born February 12, 1966, in Bismarck, to John J. and Barbara (Vetter) Froelich. He attended St. Bernard Catholic Elementary in Fort Yates and graduated from Fort Yates Public High School in 1984. He attended both Bismarck Junior College and North Dakota State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from NDSU in 1989. In 1993, he met his wife, Renee (Lord) of Bismarck, and they were married on August 11, 1995. Together, they raised two children and spent over 30 years on the family ranch, where they raised registered Quarter Horses and commercial Sim/Angus cattle, nine miles north of Selfridge.

Kelly had a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and conservation, dedicating his life to stewarding the land, improving livestock genetics, and preserving the ranching legacy for future generations. He especially loved working with horses and took great pride in continuing to enhance Quarter Horse bloodlines, blending proven genetics with beautiful roan colors and practical ranch performance. Over the years, horse customers and cattlemen became more than buyers; they became cherished friends and extended family.

For over 30 years, Kelly was on the board of the Cedar Soil Conservation District and also served on the State Soil Conservation Committee for two terms. Community leadership was important to Kelly, so, among other memberships, he served as a USDA Area IV Research Director and a Selfridge Farmers Union Board Member. He volunteered as a firefighter with the Selfridge Rural Fire District and was a board member of I-BAND. In 2000 and in 2006, Kelly and Renee were honored as the NDSU Agriculturist Family of the Year, and received the Cedar Soil Conservation Award in 2012. In 2009, he and his family received the AQHA Legacy Breeders Award for registering horses for 50 consecutive years. They were later recognized as the first AQHA Ranch Heritage Breeders in North Dakota in 2010. In 2024, Kelly and other members of the Froelich Ranch were inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Kelly’s laughter came easily, and he cherished time spent with family and friends. He loved to joke and tease in good fun, and he was rarely seen without a smile. Some of his greatest joys came from watching his children compete in football, basketball, volleyball, and track; he was always their biggest fan in the stands.

Kelly is survived by his beloved wife, Renee; his children, JW (Alisha) Froelich and Brooke Froelich (fiancé, Tyler Vossler); and his grandchildren, Colt (2) and Ryder Froelich (newborn). He is also survived by his siblings, Warren (Mary), Terry (JoAnn), Rodney (Kathy), Gayle Froelich (David Marquard), Kurt Froelich (Susan Hepper), and Kay (Bryan) Tischmak; along with numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents, John (1993) and Barbara (2011).As purple was Kelly’s favorite color, we encourage guests to wear something purple in his honor.