EICHMAN, Fredric Louis 1924-1991

EICHMAN, ARENDS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/6/2009 at 13:58:43

Local Newspaper Publisher
Dies Sunday, April 14

Fred Eichman, co-owner and co-publisher of the St. Ansgar Enerprise, died at his home here in St. Ansgar Sunday afternoon. His unexpected death came at the age of 67.

Fred, together with his wife, Thelma purchased half interest in the Enterprise from Wayne and Dorothea Christofferson and assumed that partnership in April of 1962. They had previously farmed in the Milford area.

Fred was in charge of selling the advertising at the Enterprise and also took care of all the office supply needs. Additionally he assisted in the back shop composing ads and making up pages. He and his partner, Wayne, also worked together in the maintenance of their Laundry Lounge and the Car Wash, both of which are still in operaton.

Outside of his work at the office he drove school bus since the early 1940s for the St. Ansgar School District and was doing so at the time of his death.

His interests were many as you will note from his obituary listed following.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 17, 1991, with the Reverend Robert Lemmermann officiating, at the United Methodist Church here with Military honors by the Walter T. Enneberg Post No. 358 of the American Legion, St. Ansgar. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar.

Fredric Louis Eichman, 67, died Sunday, April 14 at his home in St. Ansgar. He was born in Sibley, the son of August and Isabelle Eichman.

Survivors include his wife, Thelma of st. Ansgar; five daughters, Kathy Ellingson of Clarence; Barbara Madson, Northwood; Jodee O’Connell of Bettendorf; Dottie Rust of Nora Springs; Patrice Eichman of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; one brother, John Eichman and one sister, Aleta Wilson of Milford.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Thomas Eichman and one sister, Leona McDonald.

Fred graduated from Okoboji Consolidated High Schoolnear Milford in 1942. He married Thelma Kathlyn Arends on September 4, 1933 and they began farming until Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army in the spring of 1946, near the end of World War II.

After his discharge from the Army, Fred and Thelma returned to farming in the Milford area. He and his brother, John raised purebred Berkshire pigs, winning prizes and ribbons at fairs and shows.

In 1952 Fred and Thelma joined in partnership with Wayne and Dorothea Christofferson in the St. Ansgar Enterprise Newspaper. Fred also drove the St. Ansgar School bus for two generations of students.

Fred was a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion, the Acorn Park Golf Club and Chamber of Commerce. His interests included fishing, baseball, softball, pool and billards, bowling, playing cards, golfing and spending time with friends. Throughout the years Fred coached girls softball teams that included all five of his daughters.

Fred’s special time was always spent with his wife, Thelma, and with his five daughters and their families; Kathy and Mile Ellingson and sons, Brandon and Derick; Barbara Madson and daughters; August, Jessica and Sarah; Jodee O’Connell an sons, Lee and Guy; Dottie and Kevin Rust and children, Aren and Gannon and Patrice Eichman.

He enjoyed traveling with Thelma to see the children and grandchildren as they performed in music programs, athletic events, drama performances and special ceremonies.

[St. Ansgar Enterprise – April 1991 - St. Ansgar Museum Collection]
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Funeral service folder contents:

IN MEMORY OF
FREDRIC LOUIS EICHMAN

BORN: March 25, 1924, Sibley, Iowa

DIED: April 14, 1991, St. Ansgar, Iowa

SERVICES: April 17, 1991, 1:00 pm; United Methodist Church , St. Ansgar, Iowa

OFFICIANT: Rev. Robert Lemmermann

INTERMENT: St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar, Iowa

BEARERS: Kal Pihelgas, Jeff Hansen, Bill Perry, Ron Mueller, Paul Leidall and Leo Hansen

Military Honors by Walter T. Enneberg, Post No. 358, of the American Legion

(Credit: Karen Robertson)
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