8/27/2013:
Fred Kist Jr. was born in 1939 of this month to Fred Sr. and Laura (Fallgren) Kist of Mandan. Fred attended Mandan schools, graduating from Mandan High and going on to Dickinson State College.
In high school and at Dickinson State, Fred participated in rodeo. His favorite event was bull riding. Fred won the State High School Bull Riding Championship in 1956. In 1959, he won the National College Bull Riding Championship.
Fred met his future wife, Ellen Trotter of Grassy Butte, while at Dickinson State College. They married in 1960 and had three children.
Fred began his livestock sales career at age nine when he started working at Kist Livestock. Fred’s parents ran the business from 1942 until 1956 on Mandan’s south side at the old Morton County Fairgrounds … just west of the old Mandan Rodeo grounds.
Kist Livestock built a new $300,000 sales ring in 1956 on the strip between Mandan and Bismarck. It was one of the largest facilities in the country. The livestock sales business became Fred’s life’s work, and even as company president, he was involved in all phases of the business.
Fred had a strong, positive attitude and a generous spirit, and the company created many work opportunities for the disadvantaged.
To relax, Fred enjoyed nature, private time and fishing. He also relaxed while watching old western movies, Andy Griffith shows, and professional rodeo, football and basketball. Fred particularly looked forward to his fishing trips to Flin Flan, Canada, and hunting in the fall. His avid interest in rodeo continued throughout his life.
Fred died of cancer on July 26, 2010, and he’s buried in Mandan Union Cemetery.
Dakota Datebook written by by Cathy A. Langemo, WritePlus Inc.
Sources:
ND Cowboy Hall of Fame Cowboy Chronicle – November 2010
Obituary – Bismarck Tribune, July 28, 2010