In Memory Of
Fred L. Vossler, Sr.
Fred Leland Vossler, Sr, of Dorchester, was born on a farm near Dorchester, Nebraska on November 5, 1914 to Henry and Emma (Koeller) Vossler and died Saturday, December 19, 2009, at the Crete Medical Center in Crete at the age of 95 years 1 month and 14 days. At the age of nine, Fred's mother died and he was forced to grow up quickly with the help of his father and the assistance of Anne Clark. Fred attended a country school near Dorchester and later joined the US Army Air Corp during World War II, serving as an aircraft electrician. Upon his discharge, Fred returned to the Dorchester area and was united in marriage to Helen Engel. To this union two children, Fred Jr. and Janice were born.
Together they made their home on a farm near Dorchester. He later was employed with the City of Dorchester doing maintenance and electrical work. He also was employed by Saline County for a time, then retired in the mid-1990's as a Janitor for Dorchester Public Schools. After the death of Helen in 1978, Fred was blessed with a second marriage to Ellen (Wenger) Simons on June 9, 1979 at Scribner, NE. This brought two more daughters to his family.
Fred was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Kramer, and was a former member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete and the Dorchester American Legion. Fred loved to read his bible and played Pitch and Pinochle with his friends and family. He had quite the collection of trains and enjoyed woodworking as a hobby.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen, Dorchester, a daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Larry Casey, Alfred Station, NY, stepdaughters and spouses, Mary and Marvin Stuenkel-Lang, Uehling, NE, RoseMarie and Charles Hollingsworth, Cairo, NE, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Fred was preceded in death by parents, his first wife, Helen, son, Fred, Jr., granddaughter, Suzanne Stuenkel, and a great-granddaughter, Emily Tharp.
A Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Friend with Rev. Art Brinkmeyer officiating. Interment was in the Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation was on Monday, 11am - 8pm and 9am and until service time on Tuesday at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Friend. Memorials have been established to the Dorchester Fire and Rescue or to the donor's choice. Shirley Milton, organist, accompanied Lynn Heng, vocalist as she sang "Chief of Sinners, Though I Be", and the congregation as they sang "The Old Rugged Cross". "Peace In The Valley" sung by Elvis Presley was the closing song. Casketbearers were Dale Tharp, Chad Pieper, Randy Stuenkel, Brian Vossler, Kevin Beprovsky, Charles Vossler and Larry Casey.