Robert Wendell Fricke

Former Hastings resident, Robert Wendell Fricke, 89 passed away, Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Central City Care Center, Central City, NE



Memorial service will be Monday, November 19, 2018 at 10 am at the Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings with Pastor Bret McKey officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be at 3 pm in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings is in care of the family. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Robert was born June 9, 1929 to Edwin and Edna (Knapp) Fricke in Hastings, Nebraska. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1946. After graduation, he worked on the family farm until he was drafted into military service in the Korean War. He served from 1951-1953 in the 522nd Signal Construction Company attached to the 8th Army as a pole lineman. He was married to Betty Ann Brown April 12, 1953 and they had two children. After their marriage, he began taking on odd jobs that developed into Fricke Construction. In 1971 he left construction and began Fricke Concrete and Precast to which he later added a mini-mix concrete operation. Robert married Eileen (Kramar) Muhle on November 1, 1986. They lived in Ayr and Pauline Nebraska until 1993 when they moved to Westcliffe, Colorado. They resided also in Rocky Ford and Avondale before Robert returned to Nebraska in 2016.



Robert loved to work and build with his hands. He also loved to dance.



He is survived by two children, Denise (Russell) Ochsner of Roseland, NE and Wayne Fricke of Jacksonville, Florida, eight grandchildren Geoffrey (Rebecca) Ochsner of Omaha, Stephanie (Zachary) Brueningsen of Trumbull, Gregory (Emily) Ochsner of Roseland, Creighton (Rayna) Ochsner of Roseland, Melissa Fricke of Peoria, Illinois, Jennifer (Doug) Fricke-Martella of College Station, Texas, Kylen Fricke and Alexander “Sasha” Fricke both of Jacksonville, Florida and 6 great-grandchildren, Israel, Arielle and Eve Brueningsen, Luke Ochsner, Asher Ochsner and Kinsley Martella. Also surviving sister-in-laws, Burdetta Fricke of Hastings and Dorothy Fricke of Roswell, New Mexico and 8 nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and a brother-in-law.