Caledonia Argus

Posted: 5/29/03

Raymond Fruechte

Raymond Franklin Fruechte, 92 of rural Eitzen, MN, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at his daughterís home in rural Spring Grove, MN, where he had been living since last November. Raymond was born January 3, 1911, in rural Eitzen, MN, to Otto and Emily (Thies) Fruechte where he was the youngest of five children. Raymond attended school locally through the ninth grade before graduating from the University of Minnesota, School of Agriculture in St. Paul. On June 10, 1937, he married Esther Wiemerslage. They resided on the family farm in rural Eitzen (Portland Prairie) all of their married life. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Duane and Mary.

Raymond was a successful dairy farmer until he retired. He was on the Board of the Wilmington Mutual Insurance Company in Spring Grove. Raymond and Esther are members of Calvary Ev. Free Church in Spring Grove. Ray enjoyed following politics and current events. He enjoyed reading Zane Grey novels and talked fondly of trips he made to the southwestern part of the U.S. He also visited many of the places that were written about in the books by Zane Grey. Ray and Esther took many trips during their married life, including a trip to the Holy Land.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Esther; a son, Duane (Doris) Fruechte, Trempealeau, WI; a daughter, Mary (Rod) Amundson, rural Spring Grove; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Francis, Herbert, Edwin and Lulu.

Services will be Friday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Ev. Free Church with Rev. Dick Wohlgemuth and Dr. Robert Culver officiating. Burial will be in the St. Lukeís United Church of Christ Cemetery, Eitzen. Friends may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 12 noon until the time of service.

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