Obituary of Lester Frerk

Lester Henry Frerk was born on December 25, 1922 on a farm west of Calumet, Iowa, to Henry and Bertha (Lorenzen) Frerk. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Church of Christ in Calumet. He grew up on the farm where he was born, attended the local schools, and graduated from Calumet High School. On May 16, 1943, he married Ellen Marie Holck at the Lutheran Church in Paullina, Iowa. Les farmed, and the two made their home on a farm west of Paullina. To this union three children were born, Mary Ellen, LaDonna and Richard. In 1976 they retired from farming and moved to town. Les enjoyed yard work—especially mowing for others and helping them with various types of yard work. He also loved music and playing his accordion. In 1983 he married Iris Bjork at a candlelight chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the two had a mutual love of music, they spent a lot of time playing, Iris on the keyboard and Les on the accordion, for many local affairs, including nursing homes and the Labor Day celebration at Sutherland. The two also enjoyed riding their motorcycle, traveling and cruising around to various celebrations. Following a brief illness, Les went home to his heavenly Father on December 11, 2010, at the age of 87. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Iris; three children, Mary Ellen and Loren Reyelts of Hull, Iowa, LaDonna and Don Hurtig, and Richard and Anita Frerk, all of Paullina; his step-children, Raymond and Beverly Bjork of Ocheyedan, IA, Faith Ann Bjork and Jack Kinkley of Ann Arbor, MI, Tanya and Rick Overhaug of De Kalb, IL, Sandra Bjork and Bent Christensen of Denmark, Diane and Tom Bjorgum of Buffalo, MN and David and Carla Bjork of Spirit Lake, IA; his 10 grandchildren, 22 step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 22 step-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and 9 step-great-great grandchildren, with whom some of Les’ most precious times were spent. Among other relatives, a niece, Rita and her husband, Robert Engelke of Paullina and their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bertha Frerk, his brother, Albert Frerk, his sister, Luella Appeldorn, son-in-law, Alvin Tiedemann, and nephew Robert Appeldorn. In loving memory of Lester Henry Frerk Born ~ December 25, 1922 Died ~ December 11, 2010 Age ~ 87 years 11 months 16 days Funeral service 10:30 ~ Wednesday, December 15, 2010 Bethel Lutheran Church ~ Sutherland, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor Leroy Riemers Organist ~ Elaine Leonard Congregational Singing "How Great Thou Art" "Amazing Grace" "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Recessional ~ Music by Les Pallbearers Richard Frerk, Jr. Tony Frerk Mike Frerk Dwaine Tiedemann Mark Hurtig Corey Hurtig Honorary Pallbearers The grandchildren and step-grandchildren Burial Prairie View Cemetery ~ Paullina, Iowa