Fondroy, Richard Darrel (1935-2013)

FONDROY, PATTERSON, FLOY, CARSTENS, EICH

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/4/2013 at 15:32:30

Richard Darrel Fondroy
March 15, 1935 - May 21, 2013

Richard Darrel Fondroy, age 78, of Albert City, Iowa, died on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, on the family farm.

The son of Richard R. and Christena (Patterson) Fondroy, Richard was born on the family farm west of Albert City on March 15, 1935. Baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Albert City, he lived his youth in the Albert City vicinity.

A 1953 graduate of the Albert City High School, Richard attended Wartburg College for one year before transferring to Iowa State College (University) at Ames. In 1957, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. A member of the Farm House Fraternity while at ISU, he returned to his family farm after graduating, exactly what his heart was telling him to do. Nonetheless, he valued education and continued to pursue credits towards a Master’s Degree. From 1957 to 1963, he also served his country through the United States Army Reserve.

On July 2, 1961, Richard married Doris Paulson at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa. They began their farm life making a home together just west of Albert City where their marriage was blessed with four children: Darrel, Elaine, Susan, and Amy. In 1967, they moved to the Fondroy family farm, bringing many new adventures for the young couple. His wife, children, and grandchildren and their activities became the center of his life. As the children grew, he took on the role of 4-H leader. His small black calendar recorded the weather, meetings, birthdays, anniversaries, and activities of each member of his family. He carefully planned each trip north to fit in as many of the children’s and grandchildren’s activities as possible. He cherished the time, hugs, and laughter they shared together.

A lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, he valued his faith above all else. Serving through the church, he lived out God’s love by establishing a deep faith in his family. Indeed, his continuing desire to learn about God’s love drew him to leading The Search Bible Study, attending Bible Camp, and more recently, serving on the board of Lutheran Men in Mission. On the Buena Vista County Thrivent Board, he respectfully prepared communion and cared for God’s house. He looked upon each person he met as a precious child of God. Much like the church of St. John quietly pointed to God the Father and Creator, he saw life as rooted in the middle of the growing and harvesting of the corn and bean fields. He loved God’s creation, the change of seasons, and the tillage and conservation of the land.

Richard took part in the life of his community in various ways. A member of the Farm Bureau, he served on the Buena Vista Extension Council, the Conservation Board, the township Fire District Board, and as a Lincoln Township trustee. He loved to learn and sought new and enriching experiences by participating in the Albert City community band, camping, traveling, fishing, woodworking, and following his children’s interests. He made many fond memories for his children by taking them boating and teaching them how to water-ski. Through his grandchildren’s eyes, Grandpa could fix anything. After a trip to his ancestral country of Scotland, he followed a lifelong dream to play the Great Highland bagpipes, forging new friendships and opportunities to serve God. The lessons at Macalester College in St. Paul enriched his love of the bagpipes and challenged his newly learned skill.

Richard’s family will always honor and cherish his life and memory. They include Doris, his wife of fifty-one years; his daughters: Elaine (Paul) Floy, of Owatonna, Minnesota, Susan (Brian) Carstens, of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and Amy Fondroy Eich (Pat), of Prescott, Wisconsin; and his seven grandchildren: Martha and Sarah Floy, Nathan and Bethany Carstens, and Alexander, Dietrich, and Frasier Eich; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Darrel.

Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Buena Vista County 4-H Foundation, the IOLBC or the Lutheran Lakeside Bible camps.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City, resuming at St. John’s at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday May 25, 2013. The service of Life and Resurrection will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, ELCA, Rural Albert City, Iowa, on Saturday May 25, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2013, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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