Burton Fruechte

Burton W. Fruechte, 81, of rural Caledonia died Friday, July 24, 2015, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Burton was born September 3, 1933, in Spring Grove, to Walter and Lillie (Meyer) Fruechte.  After graduating from Spring Grove High School, he served in the United States Air Force for eight years, returning home to farm upon his discharge from the service. On September 5, 1964, he married Lois Headington at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Eitzen, Minnesota. Burton and Lois lived and farmed together on his home farm for the rest of his life.
Throughout the years, Burton was active in the community, serving on the boards of Meadowland Dairy, Spring Grove Public Schools, Wilmington Township, St. Luke’s UCC and ABLE Inc.  After retiring from farming, he spent several years driving tour buses and delivering motor homes throughout the country. Burton and Lois enjoyed traveling, and the highlights of their travels included a family trip to Burton’s ancestral home in Germany and a motor home trip to Alaska, which completed his quest to visit all 50 states.
Family was Burton’s greatest source of joy, especially his grandchildren who looked forward to taking rides with Grandpa on his John Deere Gator. He also thoroughly enjoyed the company of his many friends, neighbors and relatives, who will miss his hearty laugh and good humor.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois; his two children, Kevin (Becky), Plymouth, Minnesota, and Karla (Rob) Cuff, East Grand Rapids, Michigan; his grandchildren, Colin and Kayla Fruechte and Benjamin and Henry Cuff; two sisters, Evelyn Estenson,  Northfield, Minnesota, and Audrey Hulsey of Omaha, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Merle (Beverly) Headington, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Herbert) Banse, Caledonia; Janice Numedahl, Brenda Headington, and Lynn Headington, all of Decorah, Iowa; Lila (John) Cangemi, Jacksonville, Florida, and Joyce (Daniel) Nelson, Las Vegas, Nevada; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents and parents-in-law, Elmer “Guy” and Clara Headington, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Armin and Shirley Fruechte; brothers-in-law, Don Estenson, Wayne Headington, Lyle Headington, and Mark Numedahl; a niece, Diana Headington; and close friend and cousin, Gilbert Fruechte.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Eitzen. Pastor Michael McCann will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m., Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday, both at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Eitzen. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gundersen Medical Foundation or any other recipient of the donor’s choosing.Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.
Burton’s family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the doctors and medical staff who so ably and generously cared for him over the past several years.