Press Citizen

Johnson County supervisor Kurt Friese died in his home this morning, according to law enforcement.

First responders were called to his residence at 11:22 a.m. this morning for a medical emergency. Upon their arrival, Friese was pronounced dead, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Department is investigating his death, though the county sheriff's office do not suspect foul play at this time. An autopsy is pending.

Friese first made his name in Iowa City as the longtime owner and head chef of Devotay Restaurant and Bar. In 1995, working as the head chef at the now closed Linn Street Cafe, Friese would run an Iowa City Farmers Market stand called Devotay. In December of 1996, he opened the restaurant right next to the cafe he worked at.

Friese sold Devotay at the beginning of 2018. In a press release about the sale, Friese wrote: "I have always proudly boasted that we have the best dang crew in town, and I am very pleased that that will remain true. Devotay is an institution in Iowa City, I think, and I’m proud that the tradition will continue.”

Friese was also a regular contributor to the Iowa City Press-Citizen for years, writing on the topics of food, drink and more.

He was 54-years-old.