FREDERICK, H. Craig 1927-2014

FREDERICK, VANDEEST, WALLACE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/8/2015 at 16:55:23

H. Craig Frederick, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, merchant, community leader and child of God, passed into eternity Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. He was 86 years old. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center, where military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 349 and AMVETS 17. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28th from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center.

Craig was born June 6, 1927, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. His parents were Howard and Gertrude (VanDeest) Frederick of Algona, Iowa. The family moved to Grundy Center in 1937. Craig graduated from Grundy Center High School in the Class of 1944. He was an inductee of the National Honor Society and enjoyed Scouting, earning his Eagle rank in 1943.

In 1949 he earned his B.A. degree in industrial arts, mathematics and physics from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls after first attending Iowa State College in Ames for two years. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity; Epsilon Pi Tau, an honorary industrial arts society; and a national honorary physics fraternity.

Craig was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served from December 1951 to December 1953. He was assigned to the Army's Counter Intelligence Corps, where he served as a special agent.

Craig took Jeanne Ann Wallace of Grundy Center as his wife on Sept. 1, 1948. They were married in the First Baptist Church and had two children, Mark Randal Frederick and Pamela Jean Frederick Templeton. Jeanne's death separated her from Craig in 2004 after 56 years of marriage.

Craig joined his father and brother, Bruce, as a partner in Frederick Furniture in Grundy Center from 1949 to 1964. In 1965 he purchased their interests in the store and remained active in its management until his death.

First Baptist Church served as the Fredericks' religious home throughout Craig's life. He was a devoted member from 1936 until his death. He served as church Treasurer, member of the Board of Trustees, Sunday School instructor, choir vocalist, member of the Deacon Board and chair of the Building Committee for the current church.

With the community, Craig served in many leadership positions, working to promote downtown Grundy Center. He was active in the Grundy Center Development Corporation; the Community Club; the local Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the Board of Directors; the National Chamber of Commerce, where he held leadership positions; and Grundy Center Ambassadors. Craig was an active Rotarian for 45 years, a member and past president of American Legion Post 349, and a member of the Masonic Lodge. His most recent community contribution centered on the planning and construction of the Grundy Community Center Building, after which he remained on the Grundy Community Center Commission.

Craig is survived by his devoted family, including his son, Mark R. Frederick D.O. and Susan L. (VanderHart) Frederick of Lohman, Mo., and their children, Matthew of Chicago; Andrew of Warrenburg, Mo.; and Jessica of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. His daughter Pamela J. Frederick Templeton M.D. and Mark A. Templeton M.D. of Red Lodge, Mont., and their children, Ross (Rebecca) of Newton, Mass., and great-grandsons Josiah and Eli; and Chelsea of Indianapolis, Ind., and his sister, Marilyn (Don) Krummel, of Urbana, Ill.

Craig was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne; his parents, Howard and Gertrude; and his brother, Bruce. Craig thrived in business, loved his family and rejoiced in God.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)

Grundy Obituaries maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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