Irene Frickel

Irene Frickel

Irene Frickel

Irene Frickel, age 89, of Atkinson, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Visitation was held Wednesday, May 11, 2011, from 3-8 p.m. at Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson with a 7 p.m. prayer service.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atkinson.

Pallbearers were Jason Funk and Irene’s grandsons Scott Frickel, Jamie Frickel, Justin Rahn, Jeff Brandt, Mark Frickel, Eric Hoff, Matthew Frickel, Todd Frickel and Kent Frickel.

Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson was in charge of arrangements.

Alta Irene Frickel was born in Holt County at her grandmother’s house southeast of Atkinson on October 2, 1921. She was the oldest daughter of W. L. “Bill” and Sylvia (Hickman) Coleman. The Coleman family lived southeast of Atkinson then northeast of Emmet until moving to the Phoenix community northeast of Atkinson in 1926. Irene attended rural grade school in the Phoenix area. She attended her first year of high school in Waverly staying with her aunt. She finished her high school years at Atkinson High School, graduating in 1937. After graduation, Irene taught for four years in rural schools north of Atkinson.

On Oct. 11, 1941, Irene married Victor A. Frickel at the Immanuel Lutheran Church parsonage. The couple raised their nine children on a farm north of Atkinson. Irene once remarked she spent 30 years in parent teacher conferences. Irene was a housewife and during the 1970s and 1980s sold Raleigh Products for several years. After Victor’s death in 1993, Irene continued to live on the farm until December 2005 when she moved to Prairie Winds Assisted Living Center in Atkinson. She enjoyed her time there playing cards and socializing with the other residents. Irene was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atkinson. She was strong in her Lutheran faith and a longtime active member of LWML. Irene enjoyed her many years of membership in the Celia Homemakers Extension Club and the Wandering Woman’s Brunch.

Survivors include her children, Harold Frickel and his wife Judy of Atkinson, Garold Frickel of Atkinson, David Frickel and his wife Cheryl of Hampton, Vicki Rahn and husband Gene of Atkinson, Glen Frickel and wife Pat of Sidney, Bonnie Brandt and husband Dave of Walnut, Iowa, Rodney Frickel and wife Jane of Atkinson, Beverly Frickel of Kearney and Bethene Hoff and husband Pat of Norfolk; sisters, Vera Miller of Mesa, AZ, Marjorie Coleman of Santa Maria, CA, and Mary Henderson and husband Jerry of Valentine, NE; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Coleman of Scottsbluff, Rose Frickel of Atkinson, Esther Syfie of O’Neill and Lillian Marquardt and her husband Allen of Norfolk; one brother-in-law, Duke Hoffman of Atkinson; 24 grandchildren; and more than 30 great-grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Donald Coleman; and grandson, Daniel Frickel.

Memorials are suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atkinson or donors choice.