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SALT LAKE CITY -- Famed American painter Arnold Friberg was laid to rest Saturday in Salt Lake City.
He was remembered for his talents, his patriotism and his legacy during funeral services which took place on Temple Square. Afterward, as Friberg wished, a horse-drawn funeral carriage took his body through city streets in a final farewell fitting a great American artist.
Friend and fellow artist Ed Fraughton said at the funeral service that Friberg always hoped to honor the Creator, whether in his 12 Book of Mormon paintings, an equestrian piece of Queen Elizabeth, or scenes from "The Ten Commandments."
"(He had) divine talent and wisdom to convey in paint his love and reverence for all of God's creations," Fraughton said.
Rev. Greg Johnson officiated at the funeral. He said, "Arnold Friberg was first a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend to many."
Friberg's daughter sang, family stories were told and dear friends honored him.
Elder Robert D. Hales of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said he had "an ability to look into the past and be able to visualize and to present spiritual events, adding to our faith."
Elder Hales spoke of Friberg's gifts, such as "what he knew about eternity and how he took us there with his art and testimony."
Vincient Cleamons remembered, "He'd stop whatever he was doing and sketch us a little horse. To the world he was a master artist, but to me, he was my grandpa."
Fraughton, said, "We love you. We miss you. And somehow, life for us will never be quite the same without you."
Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police traveled thousands of miles to attend the funeral. With all the pomp and ceremony Friberg loved, they followed his casket. Friberg created 300 paintings of the Mounties.
Victor Irving, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said, "I've lost a great friend. It was an honor to know Arnold. We may have lost him, but with all the paintings we have in Canada, we'll never forget him."
Members of the Friberg family expressed gratitude for the use of the Assembly Hall, which usually is reserved for Latter-day Saint church leaders or their spouses.
One of the Fribergs' neighbors, Barbara Smithen, said, "I loved listening to his stories. (He's) just a good friend. I'll miss him a lot. He was a great man."
Bruce Brockbank, Friberg's dentist and friend, said, "He's a great man. We love Arnold very much and we're honored to be able to come to his funeral."
Leora Brockbank added, "We're sad to see him go. We appreciate everything he did for the world."
Friberg was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
He died July 1 at a Salt Lake City rehab center following hip replacement surgery. He was 96 years old. He had lived in Utah for nearly 60 years.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
