Stanley Fretheim

Thursday, December 17, 2020 1:09 pm

Stanley Monson Fretheim, 91, of Ridgeway, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 15, 2020 in his home.

Private family services with military honors will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway. Burial will take place at Madison Lutheran Church Cemetery. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Stanley was born Oct. 15, 1929, the fourth of 10 children, to Joel and Emma (Monson) Fretheim. Stanley was born and raised on the family farm near Ridgeway, IA. Stanley married Delores (Anderson-Qualley); on Feb. 15, 1954 in Ridgeway. They were married for 66 years. Together, they raised 5 children and farmed in Ridgeway township for many years. Stanley served in the US Army from 1954-1956 at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX. After returning from the service, Stanley continued running the family farm; later purchasing his own family dairy farm. Stanley later ended his working career at Carlson Construction.

Friends and family would describe Stanley as having a kind heart, gentle soul, and always having the ability to “hold his own.” Stanley enjoyed spending time with family and friends and always loved telling a good story. He enjoyed watching his favorite tv shows including NASCAR racing, football, The Lawrence Welk show, Westerns, and a heated court case on Judge Judy. Stanley loved his John Deere and mowing the lawn whenever he could. His love for music started early in life and would continue to grow throughout the years. Johnny Cash and Jimmy Jenson the Swingin’ Swede were some of his favorites. There was never a trip to Cresco that didn’t involve bringing home two boxes of Nestles ice cream drumsticks. Stanley lived to the ripe old age of 91, still driving, chewing his Copenhagen, and enjoying a cold tap of beer at his favorite local bar, The Hideaway.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Emma; his three brothers, Jules and Lyle Fretheim, and Rev. Ardel Aleson; a sister, Ruth Nesset; daughter, Betsy Scheer; son, Jeffrey Fretheim; and grandchild Melinda Fretheim.

Stanley is survived by his wife Delores; two brothers: Emory (Elaine) and Joel Fretheim; four sisters: Hazel Stortz, Jane Pape, Doris Schutz, and Shirley Vangsness (Lee); children: Mark Anderson (Marie) of Oronoco, MN; Julie Fretheim of Eagan, MN; Michael Fretheim (Darla) of Burnsville, MN; Lori Kriener (Gary) of Cresco, IA; 10 grandchildren: Amalia Anderson (Doug Banyai) of Laurium, MI; Christa Anderson (Jason Ko) of Vallejo, CA; Elynn Horn (Ter) of Rochester, MN; Jesse Scheer (Emily) of Shellsburg, IA; Cody Scheer (Amy) of Independence, IA; Emma and Erin Fretheim of Burnsville, MN; Mitchell Kriener (Savana) of Cresco, IA; Olivia Kriener (Beau Freeborn) of Cedar Rapids, IA; seven great-grandchildren: Linzie Sebastian and Ben Swift; Ingrid and Lars Anderson Ko; Ezra, Rowan, and Maddison Scheer; and Elleana Kriener.

The family extends appreciation and thanks to everyone who played a part in Stanley’s life. The family of Stanley Fretheim would like to extend their thanks to everyone for their expressions of sympathy and prayers. 

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