Douglas LaFriniere, age 82, of Bemidji, MN, died Sunday, August 15, 2021, at the Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji.

Douglas, the son of Ernest and Inga LaFriniere, was born on May 16, 1939, in St. Paul, MN.  He moved with his family to Zerkel, MN, area where he was raised.  After graduating from Bagley High School, Doug entered the United States Navy. He proudly served for four years.  He was united in marriage to Carol Clark and they raised their family in White Bear Lake, MN.  The young couple was devastated by the death of their four-year-old son, Leon, when he was killed by a drunk driver.  Doug and Carol leaned on the Lord for strength as he carried them through the tragedy.  Doug was a talented musician and often shared his evangelical message through gospel music.  He especially liked to sing and play string instruments.  The family greatly enjoyed living on a hobby farm raising horses. Doug worked professionally as a dry wall finisher in the construction industry for many years.  He was a proud member of the Twin Cities Carpenters Union. Following his retirement, Doug moved back to Zerkel to care for his father who was suffering from Alzheimer's. Shortly after his father's death, Doug received the same diagnosis.  As his Alzheimer's progressed, Doug remained at home with Carol as long as he could but has made his home at Havenwood Care Center for the past several years. He is now free from his pain and joining his parents; sons, Leon and Greg; and best friend; Todd Pemberton, in Heaven with the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children: Joshua (Song) LaFriniere and Janet (Surgeo) Martinez; one sister, Linda Warnstad; grandchildren: Sergio Martinez, Gregory LaFriniere Jr. Noel LaFriniere, and Michael LaFriniere; and three great grandchildren: Jillian, Eliza and Ian.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Hill Assembly of God Church in Bagley, MN.