Fred Maatsch

Frederick Clarence Melvin Maatsch, 95, longtime resident and businessman of Fairbury, Nebraska passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2015. Fred was born April 19, 1920 in Linn, Kansas to John and Martha Oestreich Maatsch. He was baptized at Linn, Kansas on May 30, 1920 and confirmed March 25, 1934 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lanham, Kansas by Pastor Heinz. Fred graduated from Odell High School on May 27, 1938.

On April 14, 1942 Fred joined the United States Navy, and proudly served until January 7, 1946. On February 1, 1948 surrounded by family and friends, Fred married Adelia Rengstorf at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bremen, Kansas by Reverend Ludwig. Together they had 3 sons and a daughter.

Fred was a member of the Lions Club, VFW, Legion, and the Church Council. Fred started working for Standard Oil in 1949 delivering fuel to farmers in the Diller and Fairbury areas. Fred, with his wife by his side, formed Maatsch Oil and was named to Amoco “Jobber Hall of Fame”. Even though he “officially” retired from work, he never “actually” retired from working as he was always in the office helping out wherever he could. Most of all, Fred enjoyed spending time with family. He will always be remembered as a hard-working, loving father and grandfather whose greatest passion was family.

Frederick Clarence Melvin Maatsch is survived by his wife Adelia, sons Gordon and his wife Debbie of Jefferson, Colorado, Darrell of San Antonio, Texas, and his daughter Clarice and her husband Joel Fredrickson of Fairbury. He is further survived by 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many family and friends.

In addition to his parents, John and Martha Oestreich Maatsch, he was preceded in death by his son Mardell Lynn, daughter-in-law Jennie Maatsch, brothers Elmer, Walter, Henry, Arthur and sisters Sophia, Malinda, Louise, and Margaret.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, followed by internment at the Diller cemetery at 2:00 p.m.