Wesley LaFriniere, age 50, of Bejou, MN, died on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Wesley Robert LaFriniere was born August 6, 1973, in St. Paul, MN, the son of Edith LaFriniere and Wesley Neeland Sr. After briefly living in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Mahnomen, Roy Lake, at The Ranch, and Pine Bend, the family settled in Bejou. Wes graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1992. He then worked alongside his mom, Edith, at The Shooting Star Casino as a blackjack dealer and a slot technician. Wes was also a welder and really enjoyed that career until an accident ended his welding days. His last job was spent working with his longtime friends, Ben and Brandon Bendickson, at Northern Quality Sheetrock.

Wes was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his spare time, you would often find him on the shoreline fishing. He shared this passion with his best friend and brother-in-law, Tim Spahr. They caught many sharks and stingrays in the San Francisco Bay, where he lived for a few years. If Wes wasn't hunting or fishing, you would find him gaming on his computer. He built a large inventory in World of Warcraft during his 20+ years playing and was very proud of that.

Wes had a love of football, which starting in high school when he played for the Mahnomen Indians football championship team. It wasn't hard to figure out who his favorite professional team was as Wes wore purple and yellow most of the year. Like all the other Viking fans, he held onto the hope that they would someday be Superbowl Champions.

Wes is survived by his three children: Dalton Benson of Erskine, MN, Raven Jensen of Fargo, ND, and Aurora Prior of Portland, OR; grandsons, Lukas and Elijah Prior; six sisters: Bernadette Spahr of Bejou, Neomonie LaFriniere of Duluth, MN, Angel (John) Saeland of Bemidji, MN, Tabitha (Brandon) Kielas of the Twin Cities  area, Sonja Neeland also of the Twin Cities area and Annie Lyons; three brothers: Daniel (Robin) Nefzger of Watertown, SD, Terrance (Kim) Nefzger of Moorhead, MN, and Aaron Neeland of the Twin Cities area; as well as many nieces and nephews. Wes also had a special place in his heart for his grandnephew, Dakotah Jr.

He was preceded in death his parents: Edith and Ron Nefzger, and Wesley Neeland Sr; his grandparents; as well as several aunts and uncles.

A family led Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Bejou Community Center.