Caledonia Argus

Posted: 10/20/03

Ora Fruechte

Ora E. Fruechte, 89, of Dorchester, IA, died Friday, October 17, 2003, at her home. She was born June 11, 1914 in Lake Benton, MN, to John O. and Jesse Isabelle (Birdsall) Johnson. Ora attended rural schools through the eighth grade before graduating from high school in Lake Benton. She then attended teachers training school and then taught in rural schools in Lincoln County for six years. On December 28, 1937, Ora married John H. Fruechte at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and their marriage was blessed with five children. They farmed near Verdi, MN, for ten years before moving to Dorchester, IA, where they continued to farm. On June 18, 1991, John preceded Ora in death.

Ora was a Sunday School teacher, a 4-H leader, and a youth fellowship leader. She also was a member of the Farm Bureau, Secret Sisters and Eitzen Senior Citizens. Ora worked at the Good Samaritan Home in Waukon, IA for many years and she was a volunteer at the county care facility up until her death. Her hobbies included ceramics, quilting, and writing. Ora was active with the St. Lukeís Quilters and gave many of her quilts away as gifts. She enjoyed writing and she submitted many articles and poems to the church newsletter.

Survivors include five children: J. David Fruechte, Pipestone, Joan (Gary) Thyren, Hastings, Gaylen Fruechte, Dorchester, Harold (Penny) Fruechte, Naperville, IL and La Vonne (Steve) Oenning, Oronoco; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruby Christiansen, Lake Benton; and two brothers, Marvin Johnson, Lake Benton, and Lee (Betty) Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK.

In addition to her husband, Ora was preceded in death by four brothers, La Berne, Fred, Glenn and La Verne and two sisters, Gertrude and Bessie.

Services will be Tuesday, October 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Lukeís United Church of Christ, Eitzen. Rev. Wayne Lura will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, on Monday from 5-8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

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