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- W. E. FRIEDRICHS CONSTRUCTION
William (Bill) Friedrichs did construction work in the Charter Oak area from the late 1930's until the 1970's. He first worked for Herman (Sneeder) Baak of Ricketts and then began a business of his own. He did general construction - repairs, remodeling, shingling, masonry, new construction - most any job. Some of his workers were Fred Keiner, John Kroll, and Ralph Johnson. His son, Don, worked with him in the 50's and 60's, and the business papers read "W. E. Friedrichs and Son, Carpenters and Builders". After Bill retired, he still did numerous small repairs and "handyman" jobs around town. (Taken from "The History of Charter Oak, Iowa").
William "Bill" Friedrichs was born November 4, 1897, in Vorhob, Germany, to Henry C. and Minnie (Wunder) Friedrichs. He was baptized there also. In 1898, at four months of age, he traveled by boat with his parents, two brothers, and a sister to America. They settled in Hanson County, South Dakota, near Alexandria. His growing up years were spent on farms in this area. As a young man, Bill attended business college in Grand Island, Nebraska. He went to Sioux City for employment, working first in a garage and then in the office at the Armour Meat Packing Company. Bill boarded at the home of Bertha Greene and it was there that he met Bertha's niece, Erna Kutschinski of Charter Oak, who was also working in Sioux City, doing housework, during the winter of 1920 and 1921. She was needed at home on her parent's farm during the summer months. World War I had left many poor, hungry people in Germany. In the spring of 1922, a boat filled with cattle, mostly milk cows, donated by farmers from South Dakota and Iowa, was sent over to help feed the hungry. Bill was one of the young men who volunteered to care for the cattle on the trip. Erna was born November 10, 1901, to Carl and Louise (Jahn) Kutschinski. (See history in this book.) She was baptized Erna Bertha Frederika Kutschinski at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. She attended school in Charter Oak and later, the Fiene Sisters' Sewing Class. She became a fine seamstress and sews not only for her family, but has done sewing, alterations, mending, and quilting for many in the community. Erna and Bill were married December 6, 1922, and spent the first ten years of their married life on farms in South Dakota. Three children were born there: Lavaughn, (Mrs. Irvin Schultz), Dolores (Mrs. Ray Suhr), and Donald. The farm crops in South Dakota dried out several years in a row, so they had a farm sale. In 1932, they moved to Crawford County, into a vacant farmstead owned by Erna's parents. During the 1930's, Bill worked at whatever job was available; as a farm laborer, wood sawing, in a garage, with the W.P.A., and finally, for a carpenter, Herman Baak, from Ricketts. By the 1940's, he was in business for himself, Later, the business was called "W. E. Friedrichs & Son, Carpenters and Builders". In 1945, a fourth child was born, Rita, (Mrs. Delbert Lafrentz). The family lived on the farmstead one and one half miles north and west of Charter Oak until 1969 when they moved to 25 Birch Avenue in Charter Oak. Erna has always loved to bake, and the aroma of fresh baked bread, coffee cake, or cookies often greets guests at the door. In past years she has planted large gardens and has done much canning and preserving. A sewing or tatting project is always close at hand, so she is never idle. The church and doing church work was always an important part of their lives. Erna was in charge of the Stamps for Missions program for many years and is in her 30th year with the Nursery Roll program, as well as continuing to be active in making quilts for World Relief. Bill passed away April 10, 1982. At this writing Erna is well and active, and always busy with church work, sewing, gardening, and keeping up her home. She has 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. (Taken from "The History of Charter Oak, Iowa").
WILLIAM E. FRIEDRICHS William E. Friedrichs was born on Nov. 4, 1897 in Vonhof, Germany, the son of Henry and Minnie Wunder Friedrichs. He died April 10, 1982 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Sioux City, at the age of 84. William came to the United States with his family while still only an infant. The family made their home in Hansen County, near Alexandria, S.D. He was baptized in Germany and later in South Dakota, confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On Dec. 6, 1922, William was united in marriage" to Erna Kutschinski at St:. John's 'Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. Together they made their first home in South Dakota. Ten years later they returned to Iowa, making their home near Charter. Oak. In 1969, they moved to Charter Oak, where they have since continued to make their home. William was a long time member of St. John's Lutheran Church; He served on the St, John's Lutheran School Board, was an active member of the L.L.L. serving. on it's Board, was a member of the P.T.L., A.A.L. and the Golden Oaks. In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by four brothers,and one sister Survivors include, his wife Erna of Charter Oak, one son Donald of Charter Oak, and three daughters, Lavaughn. (Mrs. Irvin) Schultz of' Kiron, Dolores (Mrs. Raymond) Suhr of Luverne, Minn. and Rita (Mrs. Delbert) Lafrentz of Charter Oak. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Alma Bartling of Mesa, Ariz. Funeral services were held April 14 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. Burial was in St. John's Cemetery. The Rev. L.C. Gebhardt officiated at the services. Pallbearers were Dick Petersen, Melvin Magill, Jim Schultz, Edgar Glockzien, Alvern Klinker and Roy Gran. Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of the Huebner Funeral Home of Charter Oak. (Taken from April 10, 1982 newspaper obituary)
In Memory of WILLIAM E. FRIEDRICHS November 4, 1897 - April 10, 1982. Services St. John's Lutheran Church 10:00 A.M. - Wednesday, April 14, 1982 Charter Oak, Iowa. Officiating Rev. L. C. Gebhardt. Music Mrs. Paul Clausen, Organist. Selections "Now The Light Is Gone", "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". Honorary Bearers: St. John's L.L.L.. Bearers: Dick Petersen, Melvin Magill, Jim Schultz, Edgar Glockzien, Alvern Klinker, Roy Gran. Interment: St. John's Cemetery Charter Oak, Iowa. Huebner Funeral Service David R. Jackson. Director. (Taken from the In Memorium of William E. Friedrichs)
Tool Auction, Sunday, August 29, at 1:00 p.m. Located at 865 First Street, Charter Oak, lowa
4 ft. work bench with wood vise; well drill press with electric motor; 6" Craftsman bench grinder; Sioux orbital sander; 7 1/4" Skil Saw; 7 1/4" Black & Decker saw; 6 1/2" Craftsman saw; sabre saw; Skil reciprical saw; 1/2" electric drill; 4" Craftsman planer and Jointer; bench vise; levels, 4 ft., 2 ft., and etc.; mitre box; tool boxes; storage cabinets; aluminum extension ladder; new 48 drawer parts cabinet; electric motors; chain hoist; 5 gallon cement mixer; wrenches; crow bars; "C" clamps; chisels; hammers; squares; planes; hand saws; saw vice; sledge hammer; shovels; picks; post hole digger; socket sets; staplers; nail puller; brace and bits; hand drill; Pop Rivet tool; lots of saw blades; drill bits; wheel barrow; tin crimper; bolts; washers; copper tubing and connectors; saw horses; work benches; many small tools too
numerous to mention; electric clothes dryer; 16" five speed bicycle; 10 gallon stone crock; garden cultivator; '61 Chevy, red title.
Terms: Cash. No property to be removed until settled for. Not responsible for accidents.
W.E. Friedrichs Estate. Randy Creese or Steve Kuhlmann, auctioneers Charter Oak, lowa. (Taken from newspaper auction sale bill)
Photo of William "Bill" FRIEDRICHS.
Photo of William "Bill" FRIEDRICHS on board the West Arrow.
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1897 - 1982 (84 years)
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