Frasch, F. W. 1912-2001

FRASCH, ULMER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2008 at 19:13:32

NAME OF DECEASED & AGE: Filmore William “F.W.” Frasch, 89, of Remsen
MAIDEN NAME (if applicable):
CAUSE OF DEATH: died following a brief illness
DATE of DEATH: Sunday, July 8, 2001
PLACE of DEATH: at Floyd Valley Hospital, LeMars, Iowa
DATE of BIRTH: March 2, 1912
PLACE of BIRTH: Menno, S.D.
PARENTS: the son of Adolph and Helen (Ulmer) Frasch
SPOUSE & DATE of MARRIAGE:
PLACE OF MARRIAGE:
OCCUPATION: He moved to Chicago where he attend various schools of music and worked at Chicago Music Hall. He was then employed as a professor at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, as head of the stringed instrument department. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an interpreter at an Italian prison camp. Following his discharge he returned to Remsen. He worked with his father at Farmers Savings Bank. He then became executive vice-president of the bank, and later was chairman of the bank in 1969. He also ran Frasch Insurance Agency from 1945 until selling the business in 1977. He retired from the banking business in 1977.
SURVIVORS: include four sisters, Carolyn H. Eichhorn of Storm Lake, Doris and her husband DeWayne Ehlert of Stockton, Calif., Betty Nitzschke of Remsen and Margaret Bunjes of LeMars; and 13 nieces and nephews.
PRECEDED in DEATH by: a nephew and two brothers-in-law.
PLACE of BURIAL: Remsen City Cemetery, Remsen, Iowa
NEWSPAPER SOURCE & DATE: The Sioux City Journal
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OBITUARY:
Filmore “F.W.” Frasch, 89, longtime Remsen businessman, died Sunday, July 8, 2001, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, following a brief illness.
Filmore William Frasch was born March 2, 1912 in Menno, S.D., the son of Adolph and Helen (Ulmer) Frasch. Filmore grew up in Menno and attended school there. At the age of seven he started violin lessons. He was very talented and learned easily. During his high school years he took first place medals in state competition each year. After graduating form Menno High School, Filmore moved with parents to Remsen.
He graduated and received his masters degree in music from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Filmore went to Chicago and attended various schools of music and worked at the Chicago Music Hall. He then worked as a professor at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake where he was head of the Stringed Instruments Department.
During World War II, he served his county in the U.S. Army, serving as an interpreter at an Italian prison camp. He spoke and wrote fluent German and Italian. Following the war re returned to Remsen and worked with father at the bank until his’ father’s death in 1956. He then became executive vice president of Farmers Savings Bank and later chairman of the board in 1969. He also ran Frasch Insurance Agency from 1945 until 1977 when the agency was sold to Jim Smith. Mr. Frasch retired from the bank in that same year.
F.W. was active in community affairs, the city council and was instrumental in the formation of the Remsen –Union School District. He was outstanding in determining character in the farm community and was very instrumental in the growth of the Remsen farming community.
Mr. Frasch was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen, Remsen Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion Post 220 in Remsen. In 1978 F.W. was honored as Citizen of the Year for the City of Remsen. He enjoyed athletics and followed local area athletes through their high school programs. Having lived in Chicago, he was an avid Chicago Bulls, White Sox and Bears fan. He followed horse and dog racing and enjoyed playing cards, chess and checkers.
Survivors include four sisters, Carolyn H. Eichhorn of Storm Lake, Doris Ehlert and her husband, DeWayne, of Stockton, Calif., Betty Nitzschke of Remsen and Margaret Bunjes of Le Mars; and 13 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew Steven Bunjes; and two brothers-in-law, Milton Eichhorn and Heino Bunjes.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen, with the Rev. Robert L. Eggers officiating. Burial will be in the Remsen City Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by the American Legion Post 220. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. today (Monday) at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church. The Feuerstein Funeral Home of Le Mars is in charge of arrangements.
– Le Mars Daily Sentinel, July 9, 2001, page 5.