Fred Seelye

Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:00 am

Fred William Seelye, age 84, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. (note change of time) Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak with Pastor Karen Carlton officiating. A meal and Celebration and Life will follow the interment at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, 1966 337th St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Fred was born Aug. 1, 1937, in Decorah, Iowa, to Harold A. Seelye and Dorothy (Bucknell) Seelye. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Eileen, brothers David and Harold (Ike), and brother-in-law Al Ettledorf.Fred graduated from Decorah High School in 1955. He then attended Area 1 Technical School obtaining a degree in agriculture. Fred joined the Army where he was stationed in Greenland and Michigan where he met and married Patricia Elwood. They were blessed with three children: Penelope, William, and Lester.

Fred wore many hats, as he was a farmer, a security guard at Luther College, drove bus for North Winneshiek Community School and drove truck for CRST and Caledonia Haulers. Fred was, first and foremost, a master tinkerer and connoisseur of fine rusty gold! Fred’s motto was “better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it”! The love he had for his childhood homestead and its history led him to eventually take over the property. Fred enjoyed his animals (particularly his cats), tinkering on tractors and cars, and the gathering of wayward machinery. He enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee around the “table of knowledge” at the local Co-op. He was always willing to help with mechanical needs, to give advice, or simply to tell a joke. Behind his large frame and strong exterior lay a kind, generous and humorous gentleman.

Toward the end of his life at Green Lea Manor, the nurses and staff were kept on their toes by “fix-it-Fred’s” antics and numerous escape attempts. There was never a dull moment at the home!

Fred is survived in death by his three children: Penelope Seelye Kremer of Sparta, WI, William Seelye of La Crosse, WI, and Lester Seelye of Cresco, IA; four grandchildren: Azure, Jeremiah, Benjamin, and Cloey; three great-grandchildren: Delton (11) Kaya (8) and Violet (2 months); sister Doris (Chris) Ettledorf of Decorah; many well-loved nieces and nephews; very special friend Mary Ann Haugen of Decorah; and Patricia (Elwood) Clausen of Gladbrook, IA.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.