John Frees

Mass of The Christian Burial

10:30 AM ~ Saturday, August 8, 2020

Sacred Heart Church, Manning, Iowa

Celebrant

Reverend Randy Schon

Music Selections

“Here I Am, Lord” “Amazing Grace”     “Now Thank We All Our God”     “How Great Thou Art”

Casket Bearers

Jerry Neppel     Steve Borkowski     Ron Lutwitze     Jim Neppel  

Larry Hansen      John Mitchell       Patrick Lutwitze

Interment

Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

John Frees, son of Henry and Anna (Passig) Frees was born April 22, 1930, near Irwin, Iowa.  He received his elementary education at the country school not far from his home in Shelby County.  John attended Irwin High School. As a 17-year-old, he sustained a serious spinal cord injury due to a car accident. John subsequently graduated from Irwin High School in 1949.  John resided with his parents on the family farm southeast of Irwin until 1950 when they moved to Manning.  John worked as a parts man for Steenhusen Implement in Irwin.  He then worked at a Manning elevator until 1959 when he purchased the feed business from retiring Lloyd Rix.

On November 26, 1960 John was united in marriage with Margaret Lutwitze at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton.  They made their home in Manning and welcomed a daughter, Karen Ann to their home in 1962.  John began working as Manning’s City Clerk on February 1, 1965, retiring in 1995.

John was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Manning.  In his spare time he enjoyed bird watching, reading, TV, visiting with friends, and getting out for a drive around town several times a week. Those who knew John, know he was a survivor. He was blessed with a loving and caring family throughout his life who helped him not only survive but thrive.

Because of declining health, John moved to the Manning Plaza Nursing Home (now called Accura Healthcare of Manning) in December of 2013.   He died at Manning Regional Healthcare Center on Wednesday morning, August 5, 2020.  He was 90 years, 3 months and 15 days of age.   

John is preceded in death by his parents; siblings:  Henry Frees Jr. (Velma), Lillie (Gerhardt) Essler; Margaret (Frank Trumph) LaMorticello Rohrbach; Erna (Joseph Muhlbauer and Louis) Odendahl.

John is survived by his wife Margaret Frees of Manning; daughter Karen Ann Frees of St. Paul, Minnesota; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Condolences may be sent to Margaret Frees, 402 Main St., Manning, IA  51455