Gerald Friedrich (Plainview)

Services for Gerald Friedrich….10am Tues. Zion Lutheran Church, Plainview…….Visitation…4-8pm Monday at the Church…Interment Pleasant View Cemetery, Plainview ,,,,Military Rite Plainview Am. Legion and V.F.W.

Gerald Friedrich was born February 24, 1931 to John and Edith (Thompson) Friedrich on the home place. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview, NE. He was confirmed on April 2, 1944.
Gerald learned how to work hard on the farm as early as 14. He had his own corn picking wagon and on his best day he could pick 3 loads of a 100 bushel of corn by hand, unload them and still have time for chores.

Gerald was called into the service at the age of 21 and served in the army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. While serving in the army, he earned the Bronze Service Star, The National Defense, United Nations Service, Good Conduct, Rifleman Sharp Shooter and various Korean War medals, but he was most proud of the fact that he was able to earn his GED while serving in Korea and received his High School Diploma when he returned home. At the 2013 Armistice Day Program he was honored for being a 60 year veteran of the Plainview American Legion and the V.F.W.

On June 10, 1956, Gerald married Ila June Uecker (Fred and Evelyn Uecker) of rural Pierce, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk. They became the parents of 4 sons, Dan (Marcia) of Chicago, Dave (Kelly), Kent (Denise) both of Plainview and Kirk (Kris) of Norfolk. They farmed near Plainview from 1956 until retiring to town in 1999. Over the years they milked cows, raised hogs and grew Holstein springer heifers. Some of the Holstein heifers were sold to as far away as Iran, Hawaii, Mexico, Indiana and California.

Gerald enjoyed going to dances especially King’s Ballroom, where he met his wife. He also enjoyed working with horses helping the four boys with their 4-H horses and giving advice to his Granddaughters in their 4-H and quarter horse shows. He also enjoyed going to livestock sales, especially horse sales, and attending parades and visiting with friends over a cup of coffee. One of Gerald’s most enjoyable recent highlights was attending the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. this past March along with over 400 fellow Korean War Veterans.

Gerald belonged to the American Legion, V.F.W. and helped on various committees at church and the parochial school.

Gerald was preceeded in death by his parents, 2 sisters (Jean Gosswein and Bernice Holst) and a brother (Edward). Survived by wife, 4 sons 9 Grandchildren, Carisa (Kyle ) Boever, Camille Friedrich, Candra (Caleb) Pence ,Derek Friedrich, Cherise Friedrich, Cara Friedrich, Taylor Friedrich, Tyler Friedrich and Samantha Friedrich, 1 Great Grandchild Elijah Boever and 1 sister (Lois Huebner).