Fred Schreek, 88, of Haines, a lifelong Baker County resident, died March 26, 2009.
His funeral was Monday.
Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1941 at the age of 21. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.
He proudly served in the 4th Armored Division and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service in action in the 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance. Fred served under Lt. Gen. Creighton Abrams and Gen. George S. Patton.
As a young man, Fred was a stunt motorcycle rider with Roland and Omar George. He also wrestled and boxed. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his wife and family.
Fred worked in the family business, Schreeck’s Famous Ice Cream and Cold Storage before and after his service in the military. He also worked for the City of Baker for more than 20 years. He retired to his farm in the Baker Valley with Audrae, raising sheep and cattle.
As a grandfather, Fred delighted his grandchildren by listening to “Tradio” early in the morning and ending every meal with “mighty fine, mighty fine.”
Fred raised four children: his son, Fred Jr.; and daughters Sarah Susan, Sherry and Shelley.
A sudden onset of severe dementia changed Fred’s life in the last several years. He remained at home, cared for and loved by his wife.
Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Audrae; daughters, Sherry, and her husband, Abel Mendoza, and Shelley and her husband, Guy Hankins; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his brother, Russell, and his wife, Ruby, of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jr.; his mother and father, Emma and Fred Schreeck; and his sister, Augusta Biggs.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army or Alzheimer’s Research through Gray’s West & Co., Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewy Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 02, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
