Frederes, Leon Francis, 1953-1960

FREDERES, STREFF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/30/2013 at 23:44:10

Tragic Drowning Takes Life of Leon Frederes

The Alton community was shocked and saddened late Sunday morning [June 5] by the tragic drowning of little Leon Francis Frederes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Frederes.

The seven-year-old boy apparently slipped into the Floyd River while he was fishing at the railroad bridge near his home. His fishing pole was found on the flat rock under the bridge by his mother, who went to look for him when he did not come home to dinner. After a search along the river without finding the lad Mrs. Frederes called Sheriff Dykstra, who arrived soon after with Deputy Ted Hoogland and son Jim. They brought grappling hooks and were assisted by City Marshal John Kool. The latter brought up the child's body just west of the bridge about 15 feet from where the rod was found and 10 feet from the north shore of the river. Mr. Kool says the water was eight feet deep in this spot.

Last to see the boy at approximately 11:30 was Clarence Miller fishing up the river a short distance. The body was found at between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. There were others fishing along the river and it was apparent the child made no outcry when he went down.

Leon's younger brother Lowell, 5, was with him during the morning but had gone home about noon. He has been unable to talk coherently and the family can not tell whether or not he saw the tragedy. The children live so close to the river that it is as familiar to them as their own yard. The boy's father had left early Sunday morning to fish elsewhere and arrived home in the late afternoon, together with Leo Braun.

Surviving with the parents are two sisters, Lois and Rita, in nurses training at Sioux City, and three brothers: Elmer, Wayne, Lowell; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Streff of Alton and grandmother, Mrs. Theo. Frederes of Remsen. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Mr. Frederes.

Rosary was held Monday evening at the Fisch funeral home in Remsen and Tuesday afternoon at St. Mary's chapel here. The funeral Wed. a.m. was at St. Mary's with Fr. A. Schumacher officiating, since Father Reising is in Sioux City on Retreat. Pallbearers were cousins: Larry Owens, Virgil Frederes, Lyle Frederes and Bobby Scheitler; mass servers were Dennis Owens and Dale Haupert.

The first grade of St. Mary's school, of which Leon was a member, attended in a body and an honor guard of nurses from St. Joseph's hospital, classmates of Lois and Rita, were expected to assist in the service.

Source: Alton Democrat, June 9, 1960.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index gives his birth date as 3 Apr 1953.