Freddie A. Drexler

Freddie Alfred Drexler was born on December 10, 1922 to Alfred and Stefanie Drexler in Sternberg, Czechoslovakia. He died May 12, 2020.

At the age of 3 months his father’s visa expired while visiting in Czechoslovakia, so his parents returned to the United States, leaving Freddie with his grandmother as he was too young to travel that far.  It took 4 years before his parents had raised enough money to return for him. Freddie arrived in his new home in Steele City, Nebraska in March 1928 at the age of 5.  The family first lived in the Steele City Hotel and his father purchased the butcher shop in town. Freddie started school there only speaking German and Czech but he quickly learned to speak English. His school days offered him many opportunities to learn.  He was generally on the honor roll and participated in school plays and musicals as well as athletics. He received many honors during his school days, receiving the American Legion Citizenship award upon his 8th grade graduation.  He received honors in music contests, dramatics and athletics. He attended Sunday School regularly and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a bugler in the Boy Scout Troop. He learned to swim in the Little Blue River and also enjoyed fishing there. His early years in Steele City had fond memories of him singing Czech songs at the Hotel for pennies.  He received a lot of love and attention from the local people.

When Freddie was a junior in high school his family moved to Diller so he could play in the school band. His trumpet playing led him into the dance band business. His parents moved back to Steele City after his graduation in 1940.

In 1940 Freddie enrolled at Peru State Teachers College. He majored in Mathematics and Physics. In September 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Force for World War II. He learned to fly but air sickness forced him to transfer to ground duty. He was assigned to Army Specialized Training at Stanford University for Chemical Engineering Studies., He was then transferred to Ohio State University to complete his Mechanical Engineering degree. He later found out that Stanford was preparing him in Nuclear Studies for the development of the atomic bomb, but since he was foreign born he was reclassified. He graduated from Ohio State University as a Mechanical Engineer in May 1944 and was immediately sent to England and then Europe with the Combat Engineers. He entered the European Theater of War in June 1944, landing on Omaha Beach. After a couple of months helping clear land mines, he was transferred to the 7th Armored Division for the duration of the war. He worked in counterintelligence, often interrogating prisoners, since he could speak German. He recalled cold winters and the Battle of St. Lo, Metz and the Battle of the Bulge where his group was held captive for over a week. After the war ended he remained in Germany and was assigned to the Occupation Forces until January 1946.

On discharge from the military he returned to Peru State Teachers College to complete his teaching requirements, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in May 1946. He continued his studies at the University of Nebraska for graduate studies. When his father died in 1947, he returned to the family farm near Gladstone to care for his mother.  He taught at Fairbury High School and Fairbury Jr. College for 1 year. He returned to the University and received his Master’s Degree in January 1950. He returned to teach Math and Physics and Director of the College Band at Fairbury Jr. College for 40 years. 1963-1967 he left the classroom and served as Dean and President of Fairbury Jr. College.

He organized a dance band and played for dances in the area for many years. This is where he met his wife Ruth Ann Kiesow Block in Beatrice, Nebraska. They were married March 13, 1964. He adopted her 3 small girls, Michele, Brenda and Teresa and another daughter, Stephanie was born in 1965. The family made their home on the Gladstone farm until 1982 when they sold the farm and moved to Fairbury. Freddie continued to teach when the college moved to Beatrice in 1985. He retired from teaching in 1987.

Freddie and the family regularly attended Zion United Church of Christ, now known as Zion Countryside Church and served as Elder and Deacon on the Church Council and on the Cemetery Board. Freddie was instrumental in documenting Cemetery Records.  He directed and sang in the Church Choir for many years.

Freddie’s love of music continued as he started his own music business, entertaining at local Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities and other venues.

Freddie was active in the community serving on many committees. He held office in the Chamber of Commerce, Fairbury Entertainment Series, Kiwanis Club, Library Board, Civic Foundation, Exalted Ruler of the Elks, Farmers Union, Municipal Band, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Retired Teachers Association, and volunteered for many community projects. He received the Fairbury Community Service Award in 1988.

Freddie and Ruth moved to Cedarwood Assisted Living in 2011. He moved to Heritage Care Center in March 2020.

Freddie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth, of Gardenside Long Term Care, daughters Michele and Dave Reynolds of Placitas, NM; Brenda and Mike Beachler of Fairbury, NE; Teresa Drexler of Henderson, NV; and Stephanie and Greg Wells of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Grandchildren Nikki Edeal, Kylie Sotelo, Meredith Diaz, Hailey Allen, Matthew, Jeremy and Hunter Wells; Great Grandchildren, Blaire, Blaike, Holton, Drexton, SumJai, TaiLyn, Donovan, Isaac, Candelaria, Nakhaly and Pimmasone; nieces and nephews and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother in law  Mary and Otto Sellenrick.

Services for Freddie & Ruth will be Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 10:30 at Zion Countryside Church - Gladstone, NE  with Pastor Jeff Friesen officiating.  Memorials will go to Zion Countryside Church.