John Frei

John H. Frei, 80 of Camp Douglas died Monday, March 29, 2021 at his home. He and his twin sister were born on June 22, 1940 to Herman and Georgia (Litzenberg) Frei on the Frei Family Homestead.

At an early age he started farming. He was united in marriage to Patricia “Patsy” Duncan on June 4, 1960 at the Bethel Baptist Church. Together they worked side by side for many years. He loved being a farmer and milked cows for many years, crop farming for 20 years and farmed with his son Dan for over 30 years. John was a skilled carpenter and built his own home, the buildings on the farm, and helped build his children’s homes. He made bookcases and picture frames, to name a few; he could build just about anything. He worked as the patrolman for the town of Byron for several years.

John enjoyed spending time taking motorcycle and camping trips with Patsy. One of their favorite spots was Alaska, which they visited 3 times. He enjoyed playing on the church softball team and also coaching the Bethel softball team. He was a skilled hunter who shot many big bucks with his bow and rifle.

John loved the Lord. He was a faithful and lifetime member of Bethel Baptist Church. He was the youngest church trustee, and served on the church board. He played Jesus in the Passion Play for over 19 years, was a member of the The Bethel Quartet and a member of the church choir. If there was a project at church John was always there to help.

He was a proud grandpa who loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and taught them about his love of building, singing, and especially his love for the Lord. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia, a daughter Debrah (Rick) Donovan, a son Daniel (Debbie) Frei all of Camp Douglas, 5 grandchildren, Clint (Christina) Donovan, Jennifer (fiancé Pat Scott) Donovan both of Camp Douglas, Benjamin (Briana) Frei of Pennsylvania, Ethan (Kaytee) Frei of Marshfield, Andrew (Jessica) Frei of Tomah, 10 great-grandchildren, Noah, Lily Donovan, Henry, Emelia, Oliver, Elowyn, Everett, Jensen, Miles Frei, and an expected great grandchild, a sister Edna (Elmer) Georgeson of Camp Douglas, and his twin sister Joanne Jones of Camp Douglas, a sister-in-law Geraldine Frei, a brother-in-law Jerry (Cherryl) Duncan of Wyeville, and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Douglas Frei, a brother-in-law Lewis “Babe” Jones, 2 nephews Randy Duncan and Arvid Georgeson, and a great nephew Joshua Georgeson.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 2, 2021, 12 noon at the Bethel Baptist Church, N9498 1st Ave Camp Douglas. Pastor Ronald Davidson and Pastor Benjamin Frei will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com

COPYRIGHT 2021 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.