Share This Obituary
Message from the Family
Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute to Harold by adding your memories and photos.
Arrangements made by
Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home
Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home
101 Gerkin
Gregory,
SD
57533
View Map - Get Directions→
Profile of Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home→
View Phone Number
Fax. (605) 835-9701
Email Us
Receive Obituary Notifications by Email
Memories & Candles
Previous
“So sorry about the loss of Harold. He was a great friend, a kind person, and a wonderful neighbor when we lived on the farm. We looked forward to...Read More »
”
1 of 2 | Posted by: Don & LaVerle Bails - Omaha, NE
“With deepest symphathy on the loss of your loved one - Duane & Sonya
”
2 of 2 | Posted by: Sonya Fernau - Fairfax, SD
Harold Frerichs was born on February 17, 1916 the son of Rippe Henry Frerichs and Sophia Marie (Miller) Frerichs on their family homestead northwest of Burke, SD in Gregory County.
He attended Weidneck country school near the family homestead where he completed the eighth grade. At the age of 14 Harold became the "hired man" on the family farm. A few years later his father suffered a debilitating stroke and Harold cared for his parents for the next 30+ years as he continued to operate the family farm.
In his mid seventies he retired from farming and spent several winters in Deming, New Mexico which he thoroughly enjoyed. The past six years he was a resident of Whispering Pines assisted living home in Burke, SD.
Harold was a life member of the Lutheran church. Family was a very important part of his life. He had an incredible memory of his "roots" and was able to recall a wide range of events, both in detail and in time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Dora Tech, Lucille Dittbrenner, and Vera June Nelson, and by one brother Clarence Frerichs, and two nieces Betty (Tech) Martin and Hope (Frerichs) Hurley and a nephew Darrell Tech.
He is survived by nieces: Iola (Tech) Frank of Burke, SD- Janet (Tech) Speidel of Martin, SD – Alice (Frerichs) Stuken of Pierre, SD – Diane (Dittbrenner) Hokamp of Fremont, NE – and by nephews: LaVerne (Judy) Tech of Rapid City, SD – Earl(Judy) Tech of Burke, SD – Russ (Sally) Frerichs of Denver, CO – Paul (Lois) Dittbrenner of Western, NE – Kenneth (Sandy) Dittbrenner of Lincoln, NE – and Dale Nelson of Las Vegas, NV.
* * * * * * * * * *
Funeral services for Harold Frerichs were held Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD with Pastor Fred Schurman officiating.
Music was provided by the church choir singing "The Lord's Prayer" and Nancy Sieh, organist. Congregational songs were "Lord of the Living Harvest," "Now Thank We All Our God," "Amazing Grace," and "We Thank You for Your Blessings."
Diane Boska, Jane Tuttle, and Beverly Martin were in charge of registration.
Casket bearers were great-nephews Bob Martin, Tim Martin, Tom Martin, John Frank, Mike Speidel, and David Tech.
Honorary pallbearers were Bob Sperl Sr., Bob Sperl Jr., Jim Mikkelsen, Edward Dobesh, Dennis Grenoble, Les Sachtjen, Eric Nelson, Ivan Nelson, Mick Ward, Howard Martin, and neighbors and friends.
Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Gregory.
Find Death Records