FRERICHS, Weert Jacob

Weert Jacob Frerichs, 98, died on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Bethany Home in Minden, NE. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Minden with Rev. Tom Barnes officiating. There will be a private burial prior to the service at the Keene Evangelical Cemetery in Keene. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. with the family present. Weert was born on March 10, 1913, to Weert L. and Katie (Pollman) Frerichs in Macon, Nebraska. His father died of the Spanish flu when Weert was five years old. Weert attended school in Macon, completing the 8th grade, after which time he worked for various farmers in the area. In 1940 he went to California and worked at the Douglas Aircraft Company. He was drafted into the U. S. Air Force in September of 1942 and served in the southwest Pacific for thirty months. On December 8, 1946, he married Maurine Boostrom. They made their home on a farm southwest of Keene. Weert farmed for over 30 years and then turned the farming operation over to two of his sons, Roger and Don, who continued to expand the farming operation. He was very happy to see the crops raised and gave advice only when asked. He was proud of the way his sons kept up the farm, especially the barn. In 1973, Weert and Maurine moved to Axtell. They moved to Bethany Home in April of 2007. Weert was a member of the Keene and Minden Evangelical Free Churches where he served in several capacities. He was District 69 school board member and served on the Keene and Axtell elevator boards. He was a member of the Axtell VFW and carried the flag during the Memorial Day ceremonies in Axtell for many years. With the help of his daughter, Kathy, he wrote a book of his life experiences, and enjoyed sharing it with others. He was proud of his farm, enjoyed spending time visiting with family and friends, and liked hearing about all his grandchildren's activities. He had a very good memory and was alert and interested in life until the end. Survivors include his daughter, Susan Woodbridge and her husband, John of Lake Forest, IL, daughter in-law, Joan Frerichs of Axtell, NE, daughter Linda Swan and her husband, Ty of Holdrege, NE, son Don Frerichs and his wife, Jody of Keene, NE, son Rick Frerichs and his wife, Jean of Salt Lake City, UT and daughter, Kathy Kleinschmidt and her husband, Bob of Medina, MN; fourteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maurine, November 2010, two sons, John who died in infancy and Roger who died in March 2008, one brother, two sisters, a half sister and three half brothers. Weert accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age and we are confident that he is with Him now. Weert was always very interested and supportive of the various physical needs of the church, so any memorials are kindly suggested to the building fund of the Minden Evangelical Free Church, or to the charity of your choice.