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Frederick Orville Bell

1923 - 2012

Frederick O. Bell, age 89, a lifelong resident and farmer in the Klemme area, died on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, August 27, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Reverend Donna Buckman officiated. Burial with full military honors, was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation was on Monday, at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme and continued prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to the family, Immanuel Reformed UCC Church or to the donor's choice.

Frederick Orville Bell, the son of Fred and Elsie (Henschen) Bell was born on August 1, 1923, on the farm in rural Gamer, Ell Township, Iowa. His mother passed away when he was one and he was raised for most of his childhood by his grandparents, the Henschens. Fred was confirmed in the Immanuel Reformed Church in his youth. He was active in the Ell Reformed Church (today's Peace Reformed Church, south of Garner). He attended rural Hancock County Schools and later Klemme High School where he graduated with the class of 1941.

Following his education Frederick enlisted in he United States Army serving during WW II. He spent parts of his military tenure in the United States, Japan, and Pearl Harbor. Upon completing his military service, he was united in marriage to Lula Arlene Peterson, The Rev. Grosshuesch at the Immanuel Reformed Church, Klemme, on January 20, 1949. Following their marriage the couple farmed and raised their family east of Klemme. Their union was blessed with four children: son, William "Bill", daughter Elsie, son, Lynn, and a daughter Eva. The couple farmed for 53 years together. In addition to farming for themselves, Fred had also drove tanker truck for a time, and had done custom farming and baling for many area farmers over the years.

Fred and Lula moved into the town of Klemme in August 2004 and have resided there since.

Throughout his life Frederick had a very active faith and served his church in many roles. He had served for many years as a deacon, usher, and had been on the church consistory in various roles. In earlier years Fred had been involved as a leader in 4-H. He loved to dance and over the years could be found tooling about the dance floor in ballroom venues such as the Surf and the Duncan Ballrooms. Frederick and Lula enjoyed spectating at many of the events of their grand kids activities and sporting events. They relished each and every opportunity to be there to watch and support them.

Fred was also known to have a competitive side to him. During winter months he looked forward to times spent around the pool table or ping-pong table with his children and grandchildren. He truly enjoyed playing Pinochle and a challenging intense game of Dominoes. Fred and the grand kids shared some wonderful times around the card table over the years, as he often would tell them, "I'll beat you at a game of cards!". Fred was a lifelong member of the Garner VFW Post and the Klemme American Legion.

His memory and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his wife and life partner of 63 years, Lula Bell of Klemme; his son, William "Bill" (Joleyne) Bell of Klemme, daughter, Elsie (Keith) Frohwein of Zearing, son, Lynn (Dayle) Bell of Klemme and daughter, Eva (Lester) Schnabel of Sheffield; sisters, Julia Gordon of Rowan and Ruth Marchant of Kanawha; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Lisa (Robby) Smith, Stephanie (Jeff) Baker, Travis (Deb) Bell, Brandon (Jo) Frohwein, Todd (Tara) Frohwein, Dennis (Callie) Frohwein, April (Steven) Watson, Paula Schnabel, Matthew Schnabel, Laura Schnabel, Rebecca Schnabel, Christopher (Tera) Bachman, Danielle (Nick) Neubauer and Nikka (Donn) Ashland; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his parents; great-granddaughter, Shelby Jo Smith; and three brothers-in-law, Dutch "Junior" Pringnitz, Dick Marchant and Lloyd Gordon.

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Frederick Orville Bell was born August 1, 1923, to Fred and Elsie (Henschen) Bell on a farm in Ell Township, rural Garner, Iowa. He was baptized on October 21, 1923. At an early age, his mother passed away, and he then made his home with his grandparents, Ernest and Sophia Henschen. Frederick was confirmed on April 15, 1938 in the Immanuel Reformed Church and graduated from Klemme High School in 1941.

Frederick served in the United States Army during World War II, with the 155th infantry field artillery unit, spending 16 months overseas in the Pacific Theatre. After returning home, he drove a DX tanker truck and did custom baling for area farmers. On January 20, 1949, he was united in marriage to Lula Arlene Peterson, by Rev. Calvin Grosshuesch at the Immanuel Reformed Church. In 1953, the couple began farming east of Klemme. Their union was blessed with two sons, William and Lynn, and two daughters, Elsie and Eva. Frederick and Lula moved into the town of Klemme in August 2004, and have resided there since.

Frederick enjoyed visiting with family and friends, dancing, and playing cards. Besides attending the grandchildren's activities, he also liked to challenge them to a game of cards, dominoes, or pool. Frederick served his church as an elder, usher, and youth group leader. In earlier years, he was a 4-H leader. Frederick was a lifelong member of the Klemme American Legion and the Garner VFW Post.

He is survived by his wife, Lula Bell, Klemme; his children, William (Joleyne) Bell, Klemme, Elsie (Keith) Frohwein, Zearing, Lynn (Dayle) Bell, Klemme, and Eva (Lester) Schnabel, Sheffield; sisters, Julia Gordon, Rowan, and Ruth Marchand, Kanawha; his grandchildren and their families: Lisa (Robby) Smith, Zac, Mackenzy, and Linzey; Stephanie (Jeff) Baker, Jake, Nick, and Breyden; Brandon (Jo) Frohwein, Mark and Lucas; Travis (Deb) Bell, Dylan, Raider, Nyxon, Ciera, and Emma; Todd (Tara) Frohwein, Tytan and Tate; Dennis (Callie) Frohwein, Ryley; April (Steven) Watson, Paula Schnabel, Matthew Schnabel, Laura Schnabel, and Rebecca Schnabel; step grandchildren: Nikki (Donn) Ashland, Seth; Christopher (Tera) Bachman, Christian; and Danielle (Nick) Neubauer, Libby and Emma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two stepmothers, one great-granddaughter, Shelby Smith, and three brothers-in-law.

source: funeral card

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