Katie Frederick

Obituary for Katherina D. Frederick Katherina D. Frederick (“Katie” to all her friends) died August 29, 2017, aged 97. She was born near Ruskin, NE, on February 4, 1920, to William H. and Anna M. Werner Kluender. Katie was the fourth of their six children. At 5 years old, in 1925, Katie moved with her family to a farm near Norton, KS, where she grew up. She remembered making the trip from Nebraska with her father in a horse-drawn wagon. She attended school and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. While working in a grocery store in Norton in 1945, she met Pershing D. Frederick, a young pharmacist recently returned from service in World War II. Katie said, “My 15-minute break was going to the drug store for a soda. I met ‘Freddie,’ and the rest is history.” The couple wed on September 8, 1946, in Norton. In 1948 they moved to Colby, where Mr. Frederick was a one-third partner in a drug store. Purchasing the store outright in 1950, Freddie & Katie operated Frederick Pharmacy until 1977. In 1958, the Fredericks adopted a son, Richard. Katie was active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby throughout her life. She devoted time to volunteering with the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and other community groups. She loved to sew, and until failing eyesight stilled her needle, she made nearly all her own clothes. She also made draperies for the homes of many Colby residents. Katie had three older sisters, Laura Rentschler, Hilda Olsson, and Velma Arp; and two younger brothers, Adolph and Emil Kluender, all of whom preceded her in death. Her husband died in 2002. Despite increasing infirmities in the last few years, Katie remained remarkably independent. Many friends will remember attending her 90 th birthday party at Trinity Lutheran Church in 2010, when she was still going strong. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 855 E. 5 th St., Colby KS, 67701.