WILSON, Fred T. (1934-2016)

WILSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/3/2017 at 23:02:59

Fred Thomas Wilson
(February 6, 1934 - July 10, 2016)

Services for Fred Wilson, 82, who passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Des Moines, will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 13 at First Assembly of God Church in Indianola with burial following in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Audra; children, Karen (Tim) Leonard, Kathy Hill, Brenda (Cliff Caulkins) Howell, Beverly Zinzer, Leslie (Martin) Jaramillo, Linda (Tom) Sinclair and Lori (Dave Kienast) Morris; sister, Diana Brugioni (Carl); grandchildren Eric and Sean Leonard, Kim Champlin, Ted Hill, Bob Howell, Heather Cooley, Jeremy Zinzer, Kelly Brown, Cody Sinclair, and Jackie Jaramillo, and 18 great-grandchildren, Ally, Dylan, Christian and Kennedy Leonard, Alex Baker, Megan Champlin, Tanner and Katie Hill, Chloe and Zach Howell, Bradley and Blake Cooley, Makenzie Zinzer, Megan, Mitchell, Jordyn and Ryker Brown, and Jensen Gebhart. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Hughie and Ada Wilson; daughter, Cindy; four brothers, Hughie Jr., Jim, Robert, and Zalva; and four sisters, Lovilla, Vera, Enda “Sissy”, and Phyllis. Fred was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Work would take him to California, where he would eventually meet his wife of 48 years, Audra. They ended up back in Iowa in 1973 because he was sure that an earthquake was imminent that would shake the state of California right off into the ocean. Some 43 years later, his premonition still hasn’t quite come true. After moving to Iowa and completing the remodel of the family home, Fred and his wife became the owners of S&H Auto Electric, located on the East side of Des Moines, where they both worked until their unplanned retirement in 2006, having owned the business for 33 years.
Fred was an incredible man who liked to spend time with his grandchildren and expose them to things they wouldn’t normally even consider. He would take them to collect rocks of all types, specifically geodes, always looking for that perfect rock. Of course, as it is with many people, that was only a temporary pursuit. Before long, he and Audra got into the hosta business. This would become more than a passing fancy and had he not been sidelined by a massive stroke in 2006, they would have become world renowned hosta specialists. In 2004, their hosta garden was a featured garden on the National Hosta Tour. The garden received many awards from this tour and started them on what could have been an extremely exciting and sensational adventure. They both met many lifelong friends that would change their lives forever and although they had hopes for a healthy and lengthy retirement, it would seem God had other plans that would test their faith in Him, their love for each other and their hope for a retirement filled with excitement, travel and adventure. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at First Assembly of God Church, Indianola where family will be present to greet friends. Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church, Indianola or Taylor House Hospice, Des Moines, in Fred’s name. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, [http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]