Gary C. Frerichs
ELKHORN — Gary C. Frerichs, Elkhorn, formerly of Coleridge, died July 28, 2020, at Methodist Hospital, Omaha.
Visitation was Friday, at church and continued one hour prior to services at the church Saturday.
Funeral services were Aug.1 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Coleridge, with the Rev. Russ Lambert officiating. Services were also live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/. Facemasks and social distancing were required for the visitation and funeral.
Burial was at the Lawn Ridge Cemetery, Coleridge.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Coleridge.
Gary C. Frerichs was born April 17, 1939, in Coleridge, to Walter Carl and Gladys Pearl (Nunemaker) Frerichs. He grew up on a farm in Coleridge and graduated from Coleridge High School in 1956. He attended the University of Nebraska and then moved home to farm with his father until he entered the U.S. Army in 1958. Gary served in a field hospital in France. He moved back after his discharge from the Army and continued to farm east of Coleridge until 1996. He married Diane Lee Martensen Aug. 11, 1963, in Coleridge. They moved into Coleridge in 1994. Diane died July 24, 2019, at the age of 74 years.
Gary drove the school bus for Coleridge Schools for many years. He also worked as a school para-educator. Gary drove truck for the Coleridge DEHY during the summers. He also owned and operated the Coleridge Fireworks Stand for 10 years.
Gary was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Coleridge American Legion Post #114, was a member of the Coleridge Woodcarvers, Coleridge Saddle Club, the Commercial Club, and the school board in the early 1980s. He was also chairman of the Coleridge Rodeo in the 1980s.
Gary is survived by two sons and spouses, Bret (Ronda) Frerichs, Omaha, and Barry (Amy) Frerichs, Bassett; three grandchildren, Jamie and Frank Kneifl, Yankton, S.D.; Joseph and Kayla Frerichs, Omaha; and Brennan Frerichs, Bassett; two great-grandchildren, Cohen and Callie Frerichs; sister, Shirley (Earl) Papenhausen, Coleridge; brother, Roger Frerichs, Bassfield, Miss.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Diane; sister and husband, Barbara (Larry) Peck; and granddaughter, Amber Frerichs.