Gene Frerichs

ROYAL – Gene Frerichs, 78, of Royal passed away at 4:20 p.m. Friday (Nov. 3, 2017) at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. Pastor Jay Johnson will officate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Royal. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m.

Gene was born Jan. 19, 1939, at Champaign, the son of Gerhard and Anna C. (Busboom) Frerichs. He married Carolyn Pflugmacher on Oct. 15, 1961, in Gifford. She survives.

He is also survived by his children, Steven (Mary Lou) Frerichs of Fithian and Stacy (Fred Cast) Anderson of Collison; six grandchildren, Wade and Matthew Frerichs, Alex and Zach Anderson, and Paige and Paiton Frerichs; sisters, Sandra (Darold) Meier of Urbana and Lana (Dave) Sund of San Antonio, Texas; and brother, Randy (Glenda) Frerichs of Champaign.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Kevin Frerichs.

Gene was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Royal. He farmed all his life. Gene was a licensed real estate agent and broker for 45 years.

He enjoyed studying new forms of energy, organic farming and soil conservation. He loved to read and pursue his hobbies.

Gene shared a love of quarter horse racing with his son Kevin.

He enjoyed the cowboy lifestyle and spending winters in Arizona.

Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Royal.