1911
Ralph
2008
Ralph Frerichs
April 1, 1911 — January 5, 2008
Funeral services for Ralph E. Frerichs, age 96, of Milbank, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Reverend James L. Wiese will officiate. Ralph died on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Milbank. The organist will be Carol Ydstie and soloist will be Deb Rausch. Family members are asked to meet in the church chapel by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday to attend services. Visitation will be at the Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. and in the church Wednesday one hour before services. Pallbearers will be Richard Ehrhart, Steve Bundy, Leland Nordquist, Duane Steege, Brian Frerichs, Kent Frerichs, and Dr. Roger Frerichs. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.
Ralph Earnest Frerichs was born on the family farm in rural Corona, SD, on April 1, 1911, to William and Minnie (Quade) Frerichs. He grew up on the family farm with a love for the land. He attended Garfield #2, rural Corona, through the eighth grade.
He married Myna Zeigler on December 7, 1937, at the Christ Lutheran Church parsonage in rural Wilmot, SD.
He and his wife farmed their entire lives on a farm in Grant Center Township southwest of Milbank. He maintained his passion for farming until his death. Even though his latter years did not allow him to actively farm, through hired help, neighbors, and his son-in-law, he still managed the daily operations of raising cattle and putting in crops. At the age of 95, he still was able to climb into the tractor seat and drive. He had keen knowledge of fixing and repairing farm equipment and could master taking a tractor apart and putting it back together again. He was a genius at inventing ways to make things work. In October 2006 he moved into Park Place Assisted Living in Milbank and had resided at the Golden Living Center in Milbank since July 2007.
He was a lifelong member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his two daughters, Debbie Bundy and husband Steve, Hampstead, N.C., and Sharon Ehrhart and husband Richard, Yankton, SD; his sister, Pearl Huether, Brookings, SD; his sister-in-law, Viola Frerichs, Corona, SD, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (Jan. 3, 2004), his son Kevin (Oct. 8, 1966), two brothers, Emil and Elmer Frerichs, and his sister, Alice Steege.
His two daughters would like to express their deep thanks and gratitude for his neighbors and other community members for their kindnesses and support in the many ways that they assisted Ralph in his later years, allowing him to stay on the farm until he was 95.
Ralph Earnest Frerichs was born on the family farm in rural Corona, SD, on April 1, 1911, to William and Minnie (Quade) Frerichs. He grew up on the family farm with a love for the land. He attended Garfield #2, rural Corona, through the eighth grade.
He married Myna Zeigler on December 7, 1937, at the Christ Lutheran Church parsonage in rural Wilmot, SD.
He and his wife farmed their entire lives on a farm in Grant Center Township southwest of Milbank. He maintained his passion for farming until his death. Even though his latter years did not allow him to actively farm, through hired help, neighbors, and his son-in-law, he still managed the daily operations of raising cattle and putting in crops. At the age of 95, he still was able to climb into the tractor seat and drive. He had keen knowledge of fixing and repairing farm equipment and could master taking a tractor apart and putting it back together again. He was a genius at inventing ways to make things work. In October 2006 he moved into Park Place Assisted Living in Milbank and had resided at the Golden Living Center in Milbank since July 2007.
He was a lifelong member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his two daughters, Debbie Bundy and husband Steve, Hampstead, N.C., and Sharon Ehrhart and husband Richard, Yankton, SD; his sister, Pearl Huether, Brookings, SD; his sister-in-law, Viola Frerichs, Corona, SD, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (Jan. 3, 2004), his son Kevin (Oct. 8, 1966), two brothers, Emil and Elmer Frerichs, and his sister, Alice Steege.
His two daughters would like to express their deep thanks and gratitude for his neighbors and other community members for their kindnesses and support in the many ways that they assisted Ralph in his later years, allowing him to stay on the farm until he was 95.