Harlan Bernard “Huck” Frakes (1932-2019)

DAWSON, DRENNAN, FRITCHER, FRAKES, NILLES, SMITH, SORENSEN

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:44

July 29, 1932 --- October 13, 2019

Harlan “Huck” Bernard Frakes, son of Harold W. and Gertrude (Nilles) Frakes, was born on July 29, 1932, in Woolstock, Iowa. Huck received his education in the Goldfield schools, graduating in May 1950. He enlisted in the United States Army in April of 1952 and attained his rank of Sergeant First Class while serving in combat with the 176th armored field artillery in the Korean War. On returning home, he and Marjorie Sorensen were married on October 21, 1953. Huck was honorably discharged in 1955.

Huck started his career managing the new Phillips station in Goldfield, before beginning his lifelong love with the poultry business. In 1956, he accepted a job with Chemell Hatchery in Goldfield, his employment taking him to Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. In 1959, Huck returned to Goldfield and started Goldfield Farm Supply, where he sold feed and raised broilers. In 1967, he joined MidAmerica Beef, which later changed their name to MidAmerica Foods. In 1968, Huck was assigned to help construct a subsidiary company to MidAmerica Foods known as Farmegg, which was located south of Humboldt. He was later named President of Farmegg Corporation and served in that capacity from 1973 to 1985. In 1985, Huck was hired as an Area Manager for DeKalb Poultry Research and was instrumental in DeKalb’s decision to locate their new research farm in Wright County. He also assisted in the Iowa Area Development Group and Wright County Development in recruiting layer companies to Wright County. Huck later helped build and joined Embly farms and managed Sparboe Farms near Eagle Grove until his retirement in March of 2007.

Huck served on the Goldfield City Council, Goldfield Fire Department, Goldfield American Legion, was President of the Iowa Egg Council and was recognized as the Iowa Poultry Industryman of the Year by the State’s Governor in 1991.

Huck passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at his home in Goldfield, at the age of 87 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard and Larry Frakes; sister, Dolores Drennan and brother-in-law, Lowell R. Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; sons, James of Hawaii, Gary (Tracy) of Iowa City and Tom (Nancy) of Kearney, MO; grandchildren: Thomas of Chicago, Jack of Kansas City, Breanne Fritcher (Justin) of Smithville, MO, Taylor, Katie and Carson of Kearney, MO; sister, Margaret Smith of Springfield, IL, sister-in-law, Patricia Frakes Dawson of Virginia and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at the Goldfield Methodist Church with Rev. Lynn Gardner officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family

Foust Funeral Homes --- Eagle Grove & Goldfield, Iowa
October 15, 2019