Friedrichsen, Neal (1955 - 2020)

FRIEDRICHSEN, NISSEN, CLARK, BIEBER, HANZEL, BENGFORD, SEVERSON, SCHULTZ

Posted By: Carol Auen (email)
Date: 8/28/2020 at 19:56:36

Neal Friedrichsen
September 7, 1955 - July 22, 2020

Neal Friedrichsen, age 64 of Wall Lake, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA. Neal Walter Friedrichsen was born on September 7, 1955, to parents Clarence and Ruby (Schultz) Friedrichsen, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, IA. He was baptized in the Stockholm Lutheran Church in Kiron, IA, and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, IA. Neal and his two siblings were raised in the Kiron-Schleswig area where he attended grade school. He attended high school in Denison, IA, and then in the Odebolt-Arthur school district where he graduated from with the Class of 1973.

After graduating, Neal worked for several area farmers. On September 15, 1978, he married Becky Nissen in the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake. This union was blessed with two daughters, Angie and Kelly. In 1983, they moved to the Reiter farm SW of Wall Lake that they eventually purchased. This is where Neal and Becky raised their girls and made so many amazing memories together. The farm brought so much joy to Neal. It was where he was able to instill great work ethic in his girls and they in turn adored what over the years was taught to them. Neal loved farming period. Besides family time, farming was his life. Over the years he raised hogs, had a cow-calf operation, and farmed the land. Spring was always his favorite as he was able to witness calving.

Neal was a hardworking individual who besides farming, worked several side jobs over the years such as working for the Raasch Brothers, at Wall Lake Used Parts, for Friedrichsen Trucking, and at the Egyptian Vault Company. It was hard for him to stay idle so he was always busy doing something. When he wasn't working, and especially during this past year or so as his health declined, you could find him watching television. Neal had so many favorite old shows like Gunsmoke, Love Boat, Fantasy Island and yes, even cartoons - Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo just to name a few. He had a GREAT sense of humor.

Another thing Neal really enjoyed was traveling. He and Becky traveled a lot with the Pep Club from Bank Midwest. They were able to visit many states and places including Alaska, Hawaii, and Riviera Maya, Mexico.

He was a very proud husband, parent and grandparent. Just the mention of his grandkid's names would have him beaming with joy. His grandkids would sit on his lap and ask for "rubbles" from grandpa which meant a few tickles to the side. This always made both he and them laugh. Riding with grandpa on the farm equipment was also something they all enjoyed doing and will forever hold memories of.

Neal was a very private man who when he became ill, wasn't much for talking about it with those outside of his family. He was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease in 2019, and in May of this year it progressed. On July 14, 2020, Neal was transferred from St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA, to the University of Iowa City Hospitals Lung Transplant Unit where he underwent a series of testing so that he could be accepted as a lung transplant recipient. Sadly, Neal's health declined at a rapid pace and this was not able to occur.

Neal lived a good earthly life. He was a hardworking, happy, funny, loving and caring man whose life should be celebrated. May he rest in peace in the Lord's comforting arms eternally. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Neal leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Becky Friedrichsen of Wall Lake, IA; daughters Angie (Jason) Clark of Ankeny, IA, and Kelly Friedrichsen (Eric Bieber) of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren: Caleb, Collin, Payton and Maddox Clark, Logan, Zachary and Emma Bieber, and Emily Hanzel; parents Clarence and Ruby Friedrichsen of Kiron, IA; brother Ross Friedrichsen of Arthur, IA; sister Lois (Mitch) Bengford of Odebolt, IA; mother-in-law Colleen Nissen of Wall Lake, IA; sister-in-law Connie (Ken) Severson of Nemaha, IA; brothers-in-law Steven Nissen and Wayne Nissen both of Wall Lake, IA; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Knute and Henrietta Friedrichsen, Walter and Emma Schultz; father-in-law Glenn Nissen; uncles Glen Friedrichsen and Fritz Schultz ; many aunts, uncles, Â and nephew Ethan Nissen.