Franklin Wayne Fey

FEY JONES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/27/2010 at 22:58:39

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Franklin Wayne Fey
By William and Mary Utesch

Wayne Fey was born November 13, 1911, at Anthon, Iowa, the oldest son of a family of two boys. His parents were Henry George Frey, September 21, 1883-December 6, 1953, and Lula Mae Jones Fey, October 25, 1888-June 5, 1973.

Wayne attended grade school in rural schools in Correctionville, Anthon and Leeds vicinity with the exception of two years, 1920-22, when the family moved to Conova, South Dakota.

On May 28, 1930, Wayne married Olga Katherine Petersen in Sioux City. To this union two daughters were born: Mary Louise Fey Utesch of Washta, Iowa; and Shirley Mae Fey Holz of Sanborn, Iowa.

Wayne farmed until 1940, then started construction work (heavy equipment), doing defense work for the government. He worked at several different defense sites in Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. He was one of the first employees of a construction company that started excavating the Smokey Mountains near Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1942-43 for the Atomic Bomb plant, now known as Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The family had to live 100 miles formt eh site of employment for security reasons; a one room apartment rented for $70 a week, no facilities; eggs, if you could buy them, were 90 cents a dozen.

In 1944, the family moved back to Correctionvill, Iowa, to make their home. Wayne was employed by Swifts Packing Compnay, Dixon Construction Company, Jefferey Trucking and Farm Labor employment.

In 1950, Wayne was divorced and made his home with his mother.

He entered Colonial Manor at Correctionville in October 1978 where he still resides. He enjoys playing cards, also hunting with his grandsons.