Frederick W. Ristow (Manhattan, Ks.)

Frederick W. Ristow, Manhattan, Kansas; passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010, while hospitalized at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas at the age of 80 years, 7 months, and 12 days,.

Frederick W. Ristow was born December 9, 1929, in Foster, Nebraska, to Friedrich Wilhelm and Alma Emilie (Reikofski) Ristow. He was baptized on January 5, 1930, and confirmed into the Christian faith on December 5, 1943, by Pastor Enno Budde, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was a 1947 graduate of O’Neill Public High School, after graduating, Fred joined his family in Plainview where his parents had purchased a family business in 1946 establishing Ristow’s Furniture and Floor Covering.

On October 28, 1951, he was married to Janeth Vee Reyher at Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview, Nebraska. This union was blessed with three children: Susan Wynn; Cindy Jo; and Tommy Lee.

Fred was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Chamber of Commerce, Plainview Jaycees, and many other organizations. He received several awards throughout his business career for management and service. Ristow’s was well known for the quality of work and products they provided. In addition to their customer service they were also known for the many high school students they employed.

Fred and Jan operated Ristow Furniture and Floor Covering until 1989. For the next year they acted as subcontractors for Santee Construction providing floor covering and tile installation on several Native American reservations in California. Fred and Jan began work for Motel 6managing several locations in western United States as temporary relief managers. They managed their own Motel 6 in Winnemucca, NV; Hays, KS; and Manhattan, KS. After Jan’s death in October 2002, Fred continued to manage the motel in Manhattan until retiring in 2005.

Fred served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the American Legion, Post #17, in Manhattan and past member of the American Legion Post #148, in Plainview.

Fred’s hobbies were fishing, hunting, playing pool, working with his computer, being an extraordinary handyman and spending time with his family and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alma; Harold and Hilda, twin brother and sister; his beloved wife, Jan; and great granddaughter, Rachel Grace Roach.

He is survived by daughters: Susan and Chuck Roach of San Antonio, TX; Cid and Dave Besse of Seward; son: Tommy, and Candace (Hanneman) Ristow of Lincoln Grandchildren: Melissa, and Todd Knoll of Hutto, TX; Corrie Besse of Chicago; IL; Audrey Besse of Omaha, NE; Jeremy (Delius, III) Roach, of San Antonio, TX; Ray Besse of Seward; Nathaniel and wife Laura of Wauwatosa, WI; Andrew and fiancé Rebecca Reek; James and friend Jaime Michelsen; Thaddaeus, and Simon Ristow all of Lincoln. He was blessed and honored to be the great grandfather of: Aliesiah, Brittanie, and Rachel Grace Roach; Joshua, Susanah, Hannah, Hosanna, Jonathan, and Jeremiah Knoll. He is survived by one sister, June and husband Chuck Davis of Phoenix, Arizona.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 27, 11:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, in Plainview. Visitation with the family will be Monday, July 26 from 6-8 pm at Ashburn Funeral Home in Plainview Ne. Viewing will also be available one hour prior to the service. Fred will be laid to rest at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview. A celebration of life service will be held in Manhattan, KS, on Friday, July 30, 2010 from 4-6 pm, at Ramblers Steakhouse. Memorials to family’s choice.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to family and friends for their love and support during Fred’s recent illness and death.