Pauline (Geier) Frecks, 98, departed this earth for her heavenly home on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska.
Pauline was born on December 19, 1925, on a farm near Duncan, Nebraska to Martin and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Geier. After spending her early years on the farm near Duncan, Nebraska, the family relocated to Culbertson in 1935. As one of 15 children, she learned the value of hard work and sacrifice at an early age. Like many families living at that time, milking twice a day was part of the regular rhythm of life and cleaning the milk separator was one of her daily chores. She also became an expert at working in the beet fields, which perhaps contributed to her lifelong quest to keep every weed pulled from her yard and garden, which she admirably succeeded in doing all of the time she resided on the farm.
In 1942, Alvere “Butch” Frecks gave her a ride home from a dance in town, which began a two-year courtship. Pauline and Butch were married on February 6, 1944, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson. They made their home and farmed on Butch’s family’s homestead southwest of Culbertson, where Pauline lived until 2010, at which time she relocated to Brookdale in McCook and later to Hillcrest Nursing Home in 2020 where she resided until the time of her death.
Pauline was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson.
Pauline will be dearly remembered by family and friends for her consistency and dependability. Saturday mornings would find her in McCook at her weekly hair appointment and trip to the local grocery store and later Walmart. She kept an immaculate, orderly house, with everything in its place. This was not an easy feat when raising four children, especially in the early years with no indoor plumbing, considering the wind and dust that often blows incessantly across the prairie. This was not without some sacrifice from others, however. Just ask the children who had to remove all dirty clothing and shoes before entering or the grandchildren who endured face scrubbings after meals. It was worth it, though, when you knew there was a cookie waiting for you in the coffee cans in the basement freezer regardless of when you were there for a visit. Throughout their married life, Pauline and Butch enjoyed square dancing and hosting card parties. She was a competitive game player, and I’m sure many of the grandchildren lost a game of tic-tac-toe or hangman to her on occasion. Her love for competition continued throughout her life as weekly bingo games were a highlight in her later years. Pauline and Butch were faithful, regular attenders of their grandchildren’s activities. The grandchildren always knew they could count on Grandma and Grandpa to be there – quite possibly before they even arrived at the event – as Pauline was never late. Until arthritis took its final toll, she crocheted beautiful afghans, learning multiple stiches over the years and making sure each child and grandchild had at least one to remember her by. She tended a large garden many years of her life, growing several types of vegetables and melons to be enjoyed by her family. She was an excellent baker and cook, with one of the family favorites being her potato salad, which many have tried to replicate, but have never quite succeeded. Pauline was an excellent speller and had a keen mind remembering facts and names throughout her entire life. She had a quick wit and could be counted on to tell it like she saw it.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Butch; one sister, Frieda Galetti; two brothers, Edward Geier and Ralph Geier; four half-brothers; five half-sisters; and one great-grandchild, Turner Frecks.
Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl (Harvey) Steier of Atwood and Karen (Paul) Smolik of Kearney; two sons, Gary (Pamela) Frecks of Cambridge and Mark (Nancy) Frecks of Culbertson; one sister, Virginia Crowell of Loveland, Colorado; one brother, Richard Geier of Lincoln; one brother-in-law, John Frecks; nine grandchildren: Melinda Gooch (Phil), Shawn Steier (Annette Purdon), Natausha Jean (Scott), Garrett Frecks (Susanne), Tessa Deyle (Derek), Trent Smolik (Courtney Smith), Isaac Frecks (Keli), Sarah White (Andrew), Joseph Frecks (Amy); and 24 great-grandchildren: Brady Gooch fiancée Elisabeth Paxton, Jami Gooch (Josh Miller), Gavin Steier, Ava Steier, Alex Jean, Jessica Adams (Mitchell), Brock Jean, Tate Jean, Natiel Jean, Gracyn Frecks, Brandon Frecks, Hailey Frecks, Clay Frecks, Rylee Frecks, Easton Frecks, Michael White, Dayvie White, Jackson White, Carter White, Barrett Frecks, Creighton Frecks, Kannon Frecks, Stella Frecks, Griffin Frecks.
Pauline’s confirmation Bible verse was Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Grandma, your life was well lived, you were faithful, and we celebrate with you that you are now in God’s presence away from the hardships of this life enjoying your crown of life. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook from 10AM-7PM. Pauline's family will greet friends from 5-7PM.
A service in honor of Pauline’s life will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 1, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson with Pastor Bradley Rick officiating. Interment will be in the Culbertson Cemetery following the service.
Memorials in Pauline's name are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Culbertson. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.