Gerhard Leo Freriks
June 10, 1942 – June 4, 2024
Gerhard Leo Freriks, of the Pilger District, passed peacefully in the hands of the Lord on June 4, 2024, at Last Mountain Pioneer Home in Strasburg, SK.
Gerhard was born on the family homestead near Pilger, SK, on June 10th, 1942, the son of Bernard (Ben) and Mary Freriks (nee Hueser). Gerhard obtained most of his schooling at Canvasback School, a country schoolhouse two miles south of the farm. Gerhard’s mom, Mary, passed with child in 1948. Gerhard was 5 years old at the time. He clearly remembered the plane that landed in the farmyard the day his mother passed; he never forgot her, or that day. Gerhard was raised by his dad Ben, his beloved sister Agnes, and older brother Casper. Agnes and Casper’s hard work was critical for the family for many years thereafter. Gerhard and his dad had a very close relationship. Gerhard often recalled how his dad let him drive the horses, and ‘plopped him’ on the drill box that first spring seeding after his mom passed. Gerhard was never far from his dad’s side.
From a very young age, Gerhard always helped his dad and brother Casper tend to the farm. Life was largely about work, but sometimes he and Casper would take Sunday afternoons to shoot gophers and rabbits, as was the custom in those days. They always had a large homemade skating rink in the winter, because the well on the farm had the most water in the area. Gerhard, Casper, and numerous cousins would often go ‘moon-lit skating’ there on winter evenings.
Gerhard assumed the family farm in the spring of 1971. In the fall of that year, he married Pauline Pulvermacher, a marriage that lasted 52 years. Gerhard and Pauline welcomed two daughters, Theresa and Carol. Gerhard lived, worked, and retired happily on the homestead for 81 years, until July of last year. His wife Pauline cared for him until that time, as long as she possibly could.
Gerhard was a very quiet, calm, and hard-working man. In addition to farming, Gerhard worked as an electrician’s helper and road construction worker to supplement farming income. He provided well for his small family.
In his spare time, Gerhard enjoyed iron work. One of his fondest accomplishments was when he was at an auction sale and saw a 3-point hitch for the tractor. He couldn’t afford to buy it, so he took a good look at it, went home, and made it from scratch.
Gerhard always looked forward to the St. Theresa Pilgrimage in Wakaw; he, his wife, and daughters attended this Pilgrimage every June, until he was unable to do so. He also served as a Trustee for St. Bernard’s Parish, and volunteered and worked at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster from time to time.
The farm and his family were his pride and joy. He worked tirelessly his entire life to always keep the grass cut, and the farmyard neat and tidy (as did his daughters, and son-in-saw Daryl in the later years, so Gerhard could remain on the farm, for as long as possible). In his retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed hobby carpentry and made countless birdhouses, many that looked like barns. Above all, he loved his family. He always looked forward to and enjoyed the holidays with his daughters, sons in law, and grandchildren - he never wanted them to leave.
Gerhard is survived by his wife Pauline, his daughters Theresa (Terry) and Carol (Daryl); his grandchildren Kenneth, Brice, Curtis (Chelsey) and Jack; his brother Casper (Sally) Freriks; brother-in-law Alois (Joyce) Bernauer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerhard is predeceased by his parents, Ben and Mary Freriks, sister Agnes Bernauer, grandson Ashton Cote, and nephew Duane Freriks.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Aaron and Carrie Fleischhacker and Ralph Becker for their support over the years. We also extend sincere gratitude to Last Mountain Pioneer Home for providing exceptional care this past year.
A Funeral Service for Gerhard was held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. from Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium, Humboldt, celebrated by Fr. Colin Roy. A Private Family interment was held at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Pilger. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: St. Theresa Parish (Box 795, Wakaw, SK, S0K 4P0) in Wakaw, SK, St. Peter’s Abbey (Box 10, Muenster, SK, S0K 2Y0) in Muenster, SK, or St. Bernard’s Cemetery (Box 91, Pilger, SK, S0K 3G0) in Pilger, SK.
This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622