Fred John Dueker, Jr.
Fred John Dueker, Jr. was born to Fred J. Dueker, Sr. and Selma (née Gutzler) Dueker on November 19, 1928 in Centralia, Illinois. Fred was the eldest of eight children born to Fred Sr. and Selma. He entered into peace and joy with Jesus at his home in Marshfield, Missouri on July 6, 2020 at the age of 91 years, 7 months, and 17 days.
Fred was a floor layer and businessman from when he was a teenager (when he began working for his father) until his retirement in 1985. Even after his retirement he never quit working with his hands making furniture and carving items. (Less than a year ago his daughter Sally caught him standing on top of a ladder fixing an outdoor light fixture!) He also would inspect the floor tiling and carpets wherever he went—wanting to make sure the work was done correctly! He truly was a professional when it came to his work and his hobbies.
Fred was Baptized as an infant at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia, and he never lost his faith in our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the time he entered into his eternal rest he was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marshfield.
Fred married his high-school sweetheart, Elsie Mae née Goedde, on June 12, 1948, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, Missouri, and their union was blessed with four children: Jacqueline, Pam, Selma (Sally), and Fred III (Buz). Elsie and Fred loved taking their children camping with other relatives and friends. They spent Elsie’s later years living between Florida and Missouri. Their marriage lasted until her death on March 8, 1996.
Fred was married twice more; each time outliving his spouse. He was married to Geraldine “Geri” (née Kurth) Ahlbrecht from August, 1996 until her death in April, 1999, and to Geraldine “Gerry (née Hoelscher) Straatmann from November, 2000 until her death in July, 2019. With both Geraldines Fred spent time between the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and Franklin County, Missouri.
Fred loved being involved with the Senior Center in Union, Missouri, and then with the one in Marshfield after moving there last August. He was a frequent participant in the Union Senior Games and helped organize and run them for many years. He was a friend to so many people everywhere he went.
He is survived by his daughters, Pam (Alfred) Hohenstreet, Sally (the Rev. Robert) Knapp; his son, Fred J. ( Jeanie) Dueker, III; stepsons, Gerard (Sue) Straatmann, Gary (Terri) Straatmann, Dale (Diann) Straatmann; six grandchildren, Bryan (Niki) Sparks, James (Pam) Favier, Alexa (Jim) Beckmann, Amanda Watts, Austin (Candas) Sterling, and Elsie “Ellie” (Jared Anderson) Dueker; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald (Helen) Dueker; one sister, Carol (Charles “Chick”) Chambliss, and three sisters-in-law, Ina Dueker, Myrna Dueker, and Carole Morrison, along with many step-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Fred was preceded in death by his three wives; his brothers,
Douglas, John “Jack”, Duane, Russell; his sister Selma “Suzanne” Kline; his brother-in-law, Richard Kline; and his daughter Jacqueline Suzanne Sparks.
The Memorial Service for Fred is tentatively planned for Saturday, July 11, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Clair, Missouri, at 10am (1500 S. Outer Road). Interment will follow at the columbarium outside Holy Trinity immediately following the Service. Fred’s son-in-law, Rev. Robert Knapp, will have the honor of officiating at his belovèd father-in-law’s Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1500 S. Outer Rd. St. Clair, MO 63077, or St. Paul Lutheran Church (609 N. Locust St. Marshfield, MO 65706).
The family would like to truly thank Haven Hospice for the love and care they gave to Fred and his family for the past few months.
Services are under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc.