Eldon 'Ollie' Fratzke

ELDON "OLLIE" FRATZKE

Oelwein

Eldon "Ollie" Fratzke, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein following a short illness.

At Ollie's request, there will be no formal funeral service. Friends are invited to greet and visit with his family from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at Geilenfeld Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials in his memory may be given to the charity of the donor's choice. To share a thought, memory or condolence, please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Erwin Eldon Fratzke, the eldest son of Erwin A. and Marjorie B. (Troxel) Fratzke, was born April 26, 1933, at his parents' home in Fairbank, Iowa. A week following graduation from Oelwein High School in 1951, he went to work for Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo, where he was employed for 35 years. Despite chronic back pain, Ollie never stopped working. He always was busy at work and at home and would be available to anyone who needed a helping hand.

It is fair to say that Ollie loved cars, mostly Fords, but other makes too! Back in the day (before kids), he might have traded cars twice in one year. When he did, whatever dealership he dealt with always had a line of folks ready to buy his immaculate trade-in.

He played basketball in high school. He moved back to Oelwein in 2008 from his home in Minnesota and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he attended morning Mass regularly.

He is survived by five children, Darcy Ann Fratzke, Waterloo, Robert John (Etta), Waterloo, Lynn Joseph, Sioux Falls, Steven James, Waterloo, and Brenda Kay (David) Leinbaugh, Evansdale; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Marjanne Fratzke, Oelwein; two brothers, Enoch (Marlene), Oelwein and Craig (Nancy), Storm Lake; his good friend, Cecelia "Sam" Garris, Oelwein; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ollie was preceded in death by his parents; and by two brothers, Theron and Gayle.