Layton fell into the arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of February 20th, 2026, due to complications from Alzheimer’s. He was 92.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 PM, on Friday, February 27, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00–7:00 PM on Thursday, February 26, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave. Bismarck

Private interment will take place in the spring for the family at the Underwood Cemetery.

Layton Freborg was born May 13, 1933 to Arnold and Gayle (Caldwell) Freborg in Underwood, North Dakota. He was raised in Underwood and graduated from Underwood High School in 1951. He went on to marry Delilah Jane Walcker on December 29th, 1951. They made their home in Underwood and raised 5 children. Terry, their only son, was killed in a car accident in 1976. Four remaining daughters include: Candice, Lisa, Micky, and Dawn. Layton and Delilah were married for 52 years until her passing in 2003.

In 1961 Layton got his contractor’s license and started Freborg Construction. He built his first house in the Butte area. In 1962, Layton worked four, 10-hour days on his construction business. He worked the other three days a week building his own home which he completed mostly by himself in two years. Before retiring in 1992, Layton built approximately 500 houses, 2 churches, and an addition on the Prarieview Nursing Home. Over his construction years, Layton was also in the retail lumber business in both Underwood and Turtle Lake.

Layton was a member and president of the Underwood School Board for 14 years. He was also a member and past president of the Underwood United Methodist Church. Layton was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Underwood Civic Club, Turtle Lake Commercial Club, Turtle Lake Lions Club, and he was treasurer of the Turtle Lake Community Hospital Board.

Most memorable for Layton was his involvement with the North Dakota Republican Party. He was a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for two terms, serving from 1973 to 1976 and again from 1979 to 1982. Layton represented the 8th District. Additionally, he was a State Senator for the same district from 1985 until his retirement in 2012. Layton held the position of Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 1985 to 1991.

Some of Layton’s accomplishments include: Chairman of the North Dakota Senate Republican Caucus from 1985–1986; President of the 28 Western North Dakota Health Systems for 3 years; Presidential appointment to the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Small Business Administration in 1990; Delegate to National Conventions in Dallas and New Orleans; and he was a member of the Lignite Research Council.

Over the years in politics Layton has shaken the hands of Presidents and Vice Presidents. An unforgettable moment was when he had the honor of dining with President Ronald Reagan at the White House. Layton devoted almost 40 years to serving constituents, the state of North Dakota, and enacting laws. He sincerely loved his job as Senator.

Layton and Delilah loved taking vacations every year as a family. They also loved spending time at their winter home in Port Isabel, Texas. Their greatest joy was time spent with family at their summer home, the Freborg farm located west of Underwood. This is where Layton grew up as a boy.

Layton loved to bowl, golf, fish, play cards with his buddies in Garrison, carve diamond willow canes, and hunt. He especially loved his yearly hunting trips in Colorado with his two best friends: Warren Lee and Chuck Tauer.

Layton was a man of God. While working in the Senate he applied the law according to his faith and his time spent in prayer. He was a member and regularly attended the United Methodist Church in Underwood and raised his family in the church.

During his years at Touchmark, Layton enjoyed spending his days and evenings with his special friend, Patty Sigurdson, who was also an Underwood native. They enjoyed dining, taking walks, visiting, reminiscing, watching television, and reading the Bible together. Their faith in the Lord gave them hope on a daily basis, and strengthened the companionship they found together.

Layton also enjoyed the visits from his many family members and friends. Layton’s favorite saying in his later years was, “I’m gonna live till I die!”

Layton is survived by daughters, Candice Piekarski, Lisa Parkman, Micky Freborg, and Dawn Jewkes; grandchildren, Tasha Schaker (Mike), Terry Parkman (Christina), Chris Walther (Jennifer), Lucas Jewkes, Brittany Mitzel (Tyler); great-grandchildren: Trae, Tori, Avalie, Nova, Dylan, Mason, Marley, Julian, Vincent, Jazmine, Aspen, Lennox, Nora, Brayden, Lilah, and Blair; great-great-grandchild, Daxton; brother, Vincent Freborg; sister, Karen Radke ( Doyle) and special friend, Patty Sigurdson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Delilah; son, Terry; son-in-law, Ron Piekarski; sister, Myrna Freborg; sister-in-law, Betty Freborg.

His family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, support staff, palliative care, and any other team members on 4th floor of CHI St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck who had a hand in taking care of our father. We would like to give special thanks to Pastor Don from the hospital who provided great comfort, compassion, and brought the love of Jesus into our father’s room with each visit and prayer of hope, healing, and/or resurrection.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.